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Benjamin Watson

TE (retired)

Benjamin Watson: facts drawn from the play-by-play.

FanIQ Research · May 10, 2026 · 6 facts, every one from the play-by-play

16-year career, 562 catches, 6,255 yards, 45 TDs. SB XXXIX champ. One of the longest TE careers ever.

Milestone

Career honors

Stat	Value
Super Bowl rings	1 (XXXIX)
Seasons played	16
Career receptions	562
Career receiving yards	6,255
Career receiving TDs	45
Teams	NE, CLE, NO, BAL

2005 AFC Divisional vs DEN: he chased down Champ Bailey 100 yards downfield to save a TD.

Anomaly

Watson chase-down play

Detail	Value
Game	2005 AFC Div Playoff vs DEN
Play	Bailey 100-yd INT return
Result	Watson tackled at 1-yd line
Significance	One of the greatest chase-downs ever

2015 NO (age 35): 74 catches, 825 yds, 6 TDs — career-best year in his 12th season.

Trend

Watson receiving yards by season

x	y
532 NE	532
681 NE	681
763 CLE	763
501 CLE	501
825 NO (age 35)	825
522 BAL	522
400 NO	400

Played for 4 different teams (NE, CLE, NO, BAL) — and was the longest-tenured TE on each.

Rare

Watson team-by-team

Team	Years	Catches
NE	2004-2009, 2019	198
CLE	2010-2012	154
NO	2013-2015, 2018	149
BAL	2017	61

NE (rookie 2004) won SB XXXIX. NE (final 2019) was age 39 — bookending the dynasty.

Split

Watson NE bookend

Era	Detail
2004 (rookie)	Won SB XXXIX
2005-2009	NE TE1, 1,000+ rec yds
2010-2018	CLE/NO/BAL years
2019 (age 39)	Returned to NE, 17 catches

6,255 career receiving yards — top 25 all-time among tight ends.

Comparison

TE career receiving yards

Player	Career yds
Tony Gonzalez	15,127
Jason Witten	13,046
Antonio Gates	11,841
Travis Kelce	~12,000
Benjamin Watson	6,255

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