Jaylen Watson is done looking over his shoulder in Kansas City. The cornerback is settling into a new home after signing a three-year, $51 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams in March, and through the first stretch of training camp, he’s already found something in Los Angeles he never had in Kansas City: a front-row seat to Matthew Stafford’s arm.
Watson spent his first four NFL seasons with the Chiefs, winning two Super Bowl titles alongside Patrick Mahomes before signing with the Rams this offseason. Los Angeles is looking to get back to the Super Bowl after losing to the Seattle Seahawks in last season’s NFC Championship Game.
Watson Reacts to Stafford’s Camp Throw
Watson plays cornerback, but he was paying close attention to the other side of the ball on Tuesday. After watching Stafford drop a tight throw in to Davante Adams during a training camp session, Watson posted his reaction on X.
“NGL, I haven’t played a QB who (can) throw that peel like nine,” Watson wrote on X, referencing Stafford’s uniform number. He posted the clip along with the comment on August 4, 2026 —
Ngl I haven’t played a qb who throw that peel like 9😭 https://t.co/wSuIH4Ikeu
— Wat’s Island🏝 (@JaylenWatson12) August 4, 2026
Read at face value, that’s a notable statement from someone who lined up behind Mahomes for four years. Mahomes is a two-time NFL MVP and widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of his generation. Watson isn’t just some fringe roster piece comparing arm talent, either — he started regularly in Kansas City’s secondary and has three career interceptions and a defensive touchdown to his name, according to his career statistics.
Fans React to the Comparison
Watson’s post didn’t sit quietly. Chiefs fans and NFL accounts jumped into the replies, and the reaction split in a few directions.
One user pushed back on Watson’s own performance so far in camp: “You’ll get a chance this season, gang,” wrote @j_ustinb710.
You’ll get a chance this season gang🤣✌🏻
— real trey songz (@j_ustinb710) August 4, 2026
Another backed up Watson’s read on Stafford with a scouting anecdote of his own: “Saw him first game of the season in Nashville against the (Tennessee) Titans. Matthew Stafford is the best thrower of the football I’ve ever seen in my life,” added @CoachKenWalton.
Saw him first game of the season in Nashville against the Titans. Matthew Stafford is the best thrower of the football I’ve ever seen in my life…
— Ken Walton II (@CoachKenWalton) August 5, 2026
Others weren’t ready to let Mahomes take a backseat. “Don’t forget who carried your a** to two Super Bowl wins,” reminded @kzhwrrld. A sharper response followed from another account: “Mahomes better throw 300 yards on Jaylen ‘Bum’ Watson now,” commented @lluljames.
mahomes better throw 300 yards on jaylen bum watson now
— james osorio (@lluljames) August 4, 2026
One reply tried to add nuance to what Watson actually meant. “I think this (was) more of a shot at the league and the years (than) QBs he played against. Nothing against Pat, but he’s (Watson) giving props to a former No. 1 draft pick who threw a dot against the (Cleveland) Browns, and his shoulder came back out of place. He’s vetted for sure,” wrote @KWavewolf.
I think this more at a shot at the league and the years qb he played against. Nothing against Pat but he’s giving props to a former 1 draft pick that threw a dot against the browns and his shoulder came back out the place. He’s vetted for sure. Real chiefs (fan). I get it.
— Fat Fly Ninja FrmDaMoon (@KWavewolf) August 5, 2026
Why the Praise Carries Weight
Stafford enters his 18th NFL season and has looked sharp through the early days of camp. Per NFL.com, Stafford called one recent training camp session “as high-quality” practice football as he’s been around in his career, pointing to the level of competition on both sides of the ball. That session included Stafford and Adams trading big plays against McDuffie and Watson in the secondary, with the defense also picking off Stafford at least once.
The Rams didn’t just add Watson this offseason. Los Angeles also traded for cornerback Trent McDuffie — Watson’s longtime running mate in Kansas City’s secondary — and added edge rusher Myles Garrett, giving the roster a defensive identity to match an offense that led the NFL in scoring a year ago, according to Yahoo Sports. That buildup is part of why Watson’s comment reads less like a shot at Mahomes and more like genuine excitement about what he’s stepped into.
What’s Next
Watson won’t have to wait long to see how the comparison plays out on the field. The Rams open the preseason on the road against the Chiefs on August 15, putting Watson and McDuffie back in Arrowhead Stadium against their former team for the first time as visitors. It remains unclear whether Watson, Mahomes or other starters will see extended snaps in that game, as is typical for Week 1 of the preseason.
