Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce welcome back an old Ch iefs ally: he has three Super Bowl rings

The Kansas City Chiefs turned to a familiar face to deal with one of the first major setbacks of the season. Justin Watson is back with the franchise after Andy Reid confirmed his addition to the practice squad, a move that prompted an immediate reaction from several of his former teammates, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

The return comes after Tyquan Thornton's injury, who suffered a dislocated ankle during the 30-27 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The receiver was placed on injured reserve, and Kansas City needed to add depth at a position that was already affected by other absences.

Mahomes and Kelce react to Justin Watson's return

Watson announced his return to Kansas City via Instagram with a photograph in which he appears dressed in the Chiefs' colors. His former teammates were quick to respond.

Mahomes reacted with three biceps emojis, while Kelce left an even more enthusiastic message: “😈😈 LFG!!!”. Other players such as Nikko Remigio, Drue Tranquill, and James Winchester also publicly celebrated the receiver's return.

Watson knows the locker room well and, above all, Andy Reid's offensive system. The receiver played in Kansas City between 2022 and 2024, so his return means bringing back a player who already knows how the offense works and what it takes to play with Mahomes.

Watson already knows what it’s like to win with the Chiefs

Watson, 30, played in 50 regular-season games with Kansas City and started 20 of them. Over those three seasons, he recorded 64 receptions for 1,064 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added nine receptions for 120 yards in his three playoff appearances with the franchise.

His return also has a particular detail. Watson has three Super Bowl rings: one won with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and two with the Chiefs.

The first came in the 2020 season, when Tampa Bay defeated Kansas City itself in Super Bowl LV. Watson was part of that squad, although he was not on the active roster for the game. He then won the Super Bowls LVII and LVIII with the Chiefs.

Andy Reid bets on a player who already knows the system

Reid highlighted that familiarity precisely when explaining the decision to bring Watson back. The coach knows his traits and understands what he can contribute to Kansas City's offense.

The receiver stands out for his speed, size, and ability to create plays downfield. In his previous stint with the Chiefs, 49 of his 64 receptions resulted in gains of at least 10 yards, a figure that explains part of the team's interest in bringing him back.

Now he will have to earn his place on the team again. Watson was signed to the practice squad, not the active 53-man roster, although he can be elevated for certain games.

The Chiefs need depth after Thornton's injury

Thornton's injury left a significant gap in Kansas City's receiving corps. The player dislocated his left ankle in the victory over the Raiders and was placed on injured reserve, so he will miss at least several weeks.

Kansas City ultimately decided to go with a familiar face instead of waiting for a new receiver to learn Reid's system from scratch. Watson already knows the offense, has experience with Mahomes, and knows what it means to play in the big games.

His return, moreover, was welcomed enthusiastically by two of the main figures in the locker room. Mahomes and Kelce have already welcomed him back. Now Watson will have to prove on the field that he can still be useful for a Chiefs team that started the season with a 4-0 record.