Chiefs Starter Predicted to Sign With Raiders in NFL Free Agency

The Kansas City Chiefs have several key contributors hitting NFL free agency in 2026, and starting cornerback Jaylen Watson profiles as an underrated UFA that is expected to leave for a payday elsewhere.
The Chiefs should be able to stomach a Watson departure, given their current cornerback depth, but could fans stomach him signing with the rival Las Vegas Raiders?
During a new free agency primer with ESPN on February 17, veteran NFL writer Matt Bowen predicted that the Raiders could end up pursuing Watson, labeling Las Vegas as his “best team fit.”
“Watson, who had 64 tackles with the Chiefs in 2025, is scheme-versatile, and the Raiders could land one of the top corners in free agency with this move to upgrade the perimeter of their defense,” Bowen explained.
Adding: “He has the length to challenge in press and the route awareness to play top-down on the ball in zone.”
Watson came in at No. 16 on Bowen’s top 50 free agent ranking. He was listed third highest for all free agent cornerbacks.
Raiders Make Sense as an NFL Free Agency Fit for Chiefs CB Jaylen Watson
Unfortunately for Chiefs Kingdom, this prediction isn’t hard to fathom. In fact, it makes a ton of sense.
Although the Raiders coaching staff has once again changed, there are people inside that building who have been watching Watson suit up against them twice a year. Owner Mark Davis is one of them.
Las Vegas can also weaken KC by stealing away a dependable starter like Watson, not to mention they fill a major need in the process.
The Raiders had arguably one of the worst secondaries in football in 2025. According to Pro Football Focus, their cumulative coverage grade ranked fourth-worst in the NFL, ahead of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, and Washington Commanders.
Their cornerback room was also the furthest thing from a who’s who of players, led by former Green Bay Packers cast-off Eric Stokes.
After Stokes, ex-Baltimore Ravens draft pick Kyu Blu Kelly and 2025 third-rounder Darien Porter led the way in terms of defensive snap count. Needless to say, the Raiders could use a new CB1 who slides everyone else down the depth chart.
It’s very possible that player is Watson, considering the rivalry aspect and the Raiders’ projected $91.5 million-plus of available cap space.
Chiefs’ Kristian Fulton Pursuit Pretty Much Sealed Jaylen Watson’s Free Agent Departure
In truth, the Chiefs moved on from Watson last offseason when they dished out $15 million worth of guaranteed money to Kristian Fulton in free agency.
Cutting Fulton doesn’t make sense from a financial perspective, despite his disappointing initial campaign in KC, so expect some combination of him, Trent McDuffie, and 2025 draft pick Nohl Williams to headline the CB room in 2026.
Obviously, the Chiefs did let Watson play out the final year of his rookie contract last season, so they may make a push to re-sign him, but it’s just hard to envision them stacking up against potential suitors in terms of guaranteed money and years. As a former seventh-round breakout, this is Watson’s opportunity to cash in.
Meanwhile, Kansas City made clear moves to replace him — rather than extend him — following the embarrassing Super Bowl blowout against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This just feels like a late-round draft hit that’s destined for a split.