I give you credit for trying to put a positive spin on this trade, but I totally disagree with this post. Yes. At times, Watson forced the ball to Hopkins. All QBs do that with their most reliable WR. Last year Watson targeted Hopkins 150 times. That was fewer than than 163 times last year and the 174 the year before were Watson did not play a full season.
- In 13 years, Peyton Manning targeted Marvin Harrison 118, 117, 122, 184, 169, 205, 142, 139, 134, 148, 32 and 107 times
- During that same period, Manning also targeted Reggie Wayne 107, 115, 122, 137, 156, 131, 149, and 175 times
- The last four years, Drew Brees has targeted Michael Thomas 121, 149, 147 and 185 times.
- Over the last three years, Brady has targeted Edelman 159, 108 and 153 times
- Before injuries started slowing him down. Gronkowski was targeted 131, 120, and 105 times
- Since 2014, Matt Ryan has targeted Julio Jones, 163, 203, 129, 148, 170, and 157 times
- Since becoming a starter, Mahomes has targeted Travis Kelce 150 and 136 times
- Since becoming a starter, Mahomes has targeted Tyreek Hill 137 and 89 times in a season where he only played 12 games.
Looking at the numbers, Watson is throwing to his #1 WR as often as other QBs are throwing to their #1 WRs. Read the field better? Who else was getting open as consistently as Hopkins? During his rookie season, Coutee was getting open and Watson found him without any problems. When the TEs were part of the game plan, he targeted them.
Watching Brady struggle without Gronk and then telling me taking away a QB's #1 target can lead to a more productive passing offense is like urinating on my head and calling it rain.