A 3-star wide receiver recruit, Watson committed to play college football for Penn over an offer from Bucknell.[1] In 40 career games at Penn from 2014-2017, Watson recorded 286 receptions for 3,777 yards and 33 touchdowns, and 44 carries for 339 yards and one touchdown.[2] As a senior in 2017, Watson was named Third-team FCS All-American at wide receiver after recording 81 receptions for 1,083 yards and 14 touchdowns (a school record).[3]
Watson finished his college career as a three-time All-Ivy League wide receiver (2015–17) and a two-time Ivy League champion (2015, 2016). He set the Penn career records far receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and all-purpose yards.[4] He also holds the record for the most receiving yards in conference play in Ivy League history.[5][6]
Watson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.[10] He made his NFL debut on September 30, 2018, against the Chicago Bears.[11] Watson caught his first career pass, a five-yard reception, on October 29, 2018, in a 37–34 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.[12] As a rookie, he appeared in 12 games.[13] On December 8, 2019, he caught his first career touchdown, a 17-yard reception from quarterback Jameis Winston.[5] In the 2019 season, he appeared in all 16 games and recorded 15 receptions for 159 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[14]
In Week 10 of the 2020 season against the Carolina Panthers, Watson recorded his first career sack on punter Joseph Charlton during a fake punt attempt during the 46–23 win. Watson was the first offensive player in Buccaneers' history to record a sack.[15][16][17] He appeared in 11 games and recorded seven receptions for 94 yards on the season.[18] Watson and the Buccaneers later went on to win Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9.[19]
On July 24, 2021, it was announced that Watson would be out four months after undergoing knee surgery, and was placed on the PUP list.[20] He was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list on August 31, 2021.[21] He was activated on December 24.[22] He appeared in one game in the 2021 season.[23] He was waived on January 15, 2022, and re-signed to the practice squad.[24][25]
The Chiefs signed Watson to a one-year deal on February 4, 2022.[26] In the 2022 season, Watson appeared in all 17 games, of which he started five. He finished with 15 receptions for 315 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[27] In Watson's first season with the Chiefs, they won Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35 with Watson catching two passes for 18 yards.[28]
Watson re-signed with the Chiefs on April 17, 2023.[29]
In the 2023–2024 NFL season, the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers 25–22 with Watson catching three passes for 54 yards.[30] Watson won his third Super Bowl championship in the win.[31]
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