Four-year veteran wide receiver Quez Watkins signed a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watkins, a former sixth-round pick, spent the entirety of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Steelers, who never got to visit with Mike Williams, now sign former Eagles WR Quez Watkins. https://t.co/K15kSKT7wR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2024
Quez Watkins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Agree to Contract
Despite his vertical abilities, Quez Watkins failed to do much of anything during the final year of his contract. Buried on a depth chart featuring A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert, Watkins finished the season with just 15 receptions for 142 yards and one touchdown. The Eagles themselves started the season strong before falling apart down the stretch and losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round.
Quez Watkins originally entered the league as a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Soythern Miss product spent the majority of his rookie year on the bench. Appearing in just six games, Watkins finished his inaugural season with just seven receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the slow start to his career, Watkins broke out in 2021. Earning a starting job opposite rookie DeVonta Smith, the second-year pro finished the first year of the Jalen Hurts Era with 43 receptions for 647 yards and one touchdown. The Eagles themselves surprised just about everyone, as the team made it to the playoffs in what most expected to be a rebuilding year.
The Eagles brought in A.J. Brown during the following offseason, putting Watkins lower on the depth chart. Now relegated to backup work, the former sixth-round pick finished the season with 33 receptions for 354 yards and three touchdowns. The team had a phenomenal season, making it to the Super Bowl before narrowly losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since signing his rookie contract, Quez Watkins has appeared in 49 games while making 25 starts. While on the field, the former sixth-round pick has recorded 98 receptions for 1,249 yards and six touchdowns.
Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta – USA Today Sports
