How a season with the Rams primed Sammy Watkins for his role with the Chiefs

It took five years and three teams, but Sammy Watkins finally found his perfect fit.

Over halfway through his first season with the Chiefs, the wide receiver feels like Kansas City is the best match for him — on and off the field.

He’s able to be himself, to let his quirky personality shine. And he’s able to fill a crucial role in the offense without the harsh glare of the spotlight.

And, Watkins admits, he might not have ever found himself in this situation if it wasn’t for the season he spent with the Rams, the Chiefs’ opponent on Monday night in Los Angeles.

“I think that kind of prepared me,” he said. “Maybe that’s the reason I’m here now. It was a blessing in disguise. I learned how to stay patient. Make the best of the opportunity that’s given to me.”

From an on-field perspective, Watkins’ stint with the Rams certainly prepared him for life with the Chiefs. In Sean McVay’s system, Watkins was the fourth offensive option, finishing the season behind Todd Gurley, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods in yards and receptions. Watkins had just 39 receptions — his lowest total for a season in which he played in at least 80 percent of the regular-season games. He made the most of those catches, racking up eight touchdowns, his second-highest season total.

“I had a real appreciation for working with Sammy,” McVay said. “I really enjoyed being around him, was really impressed with just the caliber of player he is. The willingness to do some of the things he did without the ball.

“But really, if I’m being honest, I don’t think I did a good enough job of getting him the ball as many times as he deserved last year. But he made the most of those. He didn’t say anything except just continue to go to work.”

Those 39 catches were a far cry from his first two years in Buffalo, where he averaged 62 receptions a season and still demanded more targets. It was just the kind of transitional year Watkins needed before he made his way to the Chiefs.

That year in Los Angeles helped reshape his expectations and his view of himself, and he learned how to be a guy in an offense instead of the guy.

Like in LA, Watkins is considered the Chiefs’ fourth offensive weapon behind Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. But his usage is a little bit different. It took Watkins just nine games to match last year’s reception total — and that’s including the Week 4 game where an injury forced him to leave before he recorded a catch.

And the Chiefs’ least two productive games — against Denver and Arizona — came when Watkins was either limited or completely out of the lineup. Watkins is listed as questionable for Monday’s game. He missed practice on Friday and Saturday after practicing on a limited basis Thursday because of a foot injury.

“Sammy just brings another dimension to our offense,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “He’s so physical with the speed, he’s someone that can really stretch the defense as well as put pressure on them in a lot of different ways.”

Asked how Watkins’ usage is different with the Chiefs than with the Rams, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy just laughed.

“I’ll say this, it worked out perfect,” he said, grinning before he cracked up for a couple seconds. “They did a great job with Sammy, but we’re happy that we have him here.”

Watkins didn’t just find himself on the field in Kansas City, he also found himself off of it. After years of suppressing his personality, Watkins is letting it all out with the Chiefs.

“I just feel like it’s my third team,” he said. “I can open up to the fans and just be myself. Being here, coaches let you be yourself, show your personality and that’s the great part about being here.”

Dubbed Starship 14 by Andy Reid, Watkins is a different kind of guy, and the Chiefs — and their fans — embrace that. Accepted by his team and the fanbase, Watkins isn’t afraid to show his personality. He tweets about his unconventional theories about alternate realities and dimensions, and he dressed up like a mad scientist for Halloween.

“I just feel like I had that buried,” Watkins said of his personality. “Being traded, being injured every year, trying to stay healthy. Just going through a lot of mental things. Now I’m kinda, I have that mental clarity and it’s just easy to have that being 9-1 and winning games.”

Earlier this season, Watkins did a fan Q&A on his Instagram page, and he also invited fans to send him tweets with their best ‘Victory Monday’ selfies and videos.

As long as he isn’t hampered by his foot, which he hurt against the Browns, Watkins will face his former team Monday night. If he hadn’t signed with the Chiefs, there’s every chance he could’ve been suiting up for the Rams in the primetime matchup of the NFL’s heavyweights. But he followed a different path, one that led him to the perfect situation.

“Everything is in God’s hands,” he said. “That’s how I kind of look at it. I’m here for a reason, and I’m happy.

Brooke Pryor

Brooke Pryor covers the Kansas City Chiefs and NFL for The Star.

This story was originally published November 16, 2018 at 4:42 PM.