Former Eagles wide receiver might already be on the roster bubble with Steelers

The Philadelphia Eagles couldn't keep everyone from their Super Bowl team around, which led to wide receiver Quez Watkins signing a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason. While the former 200th overall pick had some success in Philly, his 15 catches in 2023 proved that a change of scenery was necessary.

With Mike Tomlin at the helm and a thin wide receiver room giving him more than enough opportunities to climb up the depth chart, Pittsburgh seemed like a perfect destination for Watkins. With the ex-Southern Mississippi star already getting the first crack at punt return duties, things were looking up for Watkins.

It took all of one game, namely the Steelers' preseason opener against the Houston Texans, for any and all positive Watkins momentum to be sandblasted away. Watkins' first return was a poor fair catch that earned him serious online derision, but his second attempt was even worse.

Watkins, who had never returned punts at the professional level before, poorly tracked the ball in the air and muffed the punt, allowing Houston to recover. The Texans would later go up 14-0 after scoring on that drive, and they ended up winning the game 20-12. With his receiving skills failing to impress, Watkins is clearly on the roster bubble.

Former Eagles WR Quez Watkins struggling with Steelers

Watkins' breakout sophomore year, in which he recorded 647 yards and played a part in getting the Eagles to the postseason, seems like a distant memory. After Philly added AJ Brown via a trade with the Titans, Watkins' snaps started to gradually flake away into nothingness.

Watkins always had great speed, which helped him become a passable vertical threat during his best years with the Eagles. Unfortunately, a penchant for untimely drops and fumbles (looking at you, Commanders Monday Night loss during the 2022 season) made it difficult for Philadelphia to rely on him as much.

George Pickens, rookie Roman Wilson, and veteran Van Jefferson all seem to be above Watkins on the depth chart. If he is unable to either solidify himself as a returner or beat out names like Calvin Austin and Scotty Miller for a backup job, Tomlin might find it difficult to keep Watkins around.

Watkins' verticality was exactly what the Eagles needed early in his career. However, Eagles fans became all too familiar with the warts in his game. Watkins had been putting those same warts on display with the Steelers.