New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson is likely retiring following a loss in the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs. The Patriots fell to the Titans 20-13 in a stunning game. Watson, a former Georgia Bulldog, turned 39 years old last month.
Watson finished the season with 17 catches for 173 yards and no touchdowns. Against the Titans, Watson caught three passes for 38 yards. Watson had an explosive play called back due to an ineligible receiver down field:
The Edelman drop was big, but to me, this one was bigger. You convert a third-and-10, with — of all things — a 38-yarder to a WIDE OPEN Ben Watson, after the Titans dropped eight men into coverage.
Negated by Mason chasing a DT up the field. Dagger. pic.twitter.com/mGnk7Vuz1I
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 5, 2020
Tom Brady and New England’s offense struggled in the second half against Tennessee’s stout defense. It was the Patriot’s first Wildcard exit in a decade.
Now, Watson is likely retiring. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported his retirement:
Bills’ LB Lorenzo Alexander and Patriots’ TE Benjamin Watson, two players known for their character as much as their talents, both announced their retirements after Saturday’s wild-card losses. They were assets for their team and ambassadors for the game.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2020
This report may not be 100% accurate. During postgame interviews, Watson wanted to discuss his future with his family. Watson says, “He wants to be back here, but probably won’t be playing”:
An emotional Ben Watson sounds like he’ll be retiring: pic.twitter.com/0GNppuHU7q
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) January 5, 2020
Watson retired as a New Orleans Saint after last season’s defeat in the NFC Championship against the Los Angeles Rams. His future remains unclear at the moment.
If it’s the end of Watson’s long career (2004-2019), then he’ll finish with 547 receptions, 6,058 yards, and 44 touchdowns. Watson is an excellent representative of the University of Georgia and what it means to be a Georgia Bulldogs.
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