SEPTEMBER 10: The base value of Watson’s new deal is $11MM, ensuring roughly $13MM in total compensation across the next two seasons (h/t Ian Rapoport of NFL Network). $6MM in new guarantees are included, all in the form of a signing bonus. A $1.85MM roster bonus is present for 2026 as well.
SEPTEMBER 9: Christian Watson continues to work his way back from a torn ACL suffered during the 2024 regular season finale. While the Packers wideout isn’t expected to take the field until at least next month, the team is still rewarding him with a new contract.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers have signed Watson to a one-year, $13.25MM extension. The receiver was set to play the 2025 campaign on the final year of his rookie deal, but this extension will now keep him in Green Bay through at least the 2026 season. According to Schefter, the Packers wanted Watson to focus on his return from injury in 2025 vs. his impending free agency, leading to today’s deal.
A former second-round pick, Watson spent his rookie campaign playing alongside Aaron Rodgers, with his nine touchdowns and 691 yards from scrimmage still representing career-highs. He’s spent the past two seasons serving as one of Jordan Love‘s key targets, but Watson has yet to truly break out like the organization may have expected.
The receiver averaged a career-high 46.9 yards per game during the 2023 season, but he was limited to only nine appearances thanks to a pesky hamstring issue. He got into a career-high 15 games last season, but he was limited to a career-low 41.3 yards per game and 47.2 success rate. Watson suffered a torn ACL in Week 18, and considering the timing, it was always expected that his recovery time would leak into the 2025 campaign.
That ended up being the case, as Watson landed on the PUP list to begin this season. He’ll be forced to miss the first four games, but there’s a chance he’s back shortly after he becomes eligible. The last we heard, Watson was a candidate to return as early as Week 5, but considering the team’s receiving depth, the Packers may not feel any urgency to immediately get him back on the field.
That depth has also clouded Watson’s future in Green Bay, although today’s one-year extension is somewhat a vote of confidence. Watson finished the 2024 season as the fourth-most targeted WR in Green Bay, and each of the three wideouts ahead of him —Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs — are still on the roster (not to mention TE Tucker Kraft, who has emerged as one of Love’s favorite weapons). The team also added rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden and rookie third-round pick Savion Williams to the squad.
Notably, Watson is the oldest player in the receivers room. While his extension gives him a better chance of carving out a long-term role with the Packers, it seems likelier than not that the 2026 campaign could be his final season in Green Bay.
Why
Because they don’t want him to walk at the end of the year. They like him.
More like they are worried he goes somewhere else and takes off. He has already missed more than a quarter of the possible games in his career.
13 million for a wr with his talent is a bargain. But……
He disappears for games at a time and is only ever active for half the year. Next two season are going to tell if he’s a 25+million a year wr, or if he’s gonna get another 1 year prove it deal. He was smart to take what they offered right now though.
It’s a pretty savvy move if you think about it. It’s better to have him perform well so he yields a better compensatory pick. He probably wouldn’t get a big FA contract this summer because of the lack of games. For the franchise it’s low risk, high reward. For the player, he can focus on rehab and play out his prove it deal. Or if he balls out, they may decide to keep him.
Low cost deal with other WRs on expiring deals. Not the worst deal to make.
This could easily be a bad deal but only time will tell.
There’s no such thing as a bad 1 year deal
The Jets with Reddick and Eagles with Huff would like a word …
@Brian wolf – They were both on multiyear deals…..And in this case for Reddick, the Jets gave up a higher pick when he had already said he wasn’t going to play unless he got a new contract…dumb move by them. Here, the Packers will likely get a higher comp pick after 2026 when he actually has a chance to play, rather than a 7th/no pick if he left after this season.
It’s ONLY one year. Even if he tears his acl in 8 weeks and misses 3 quarters of next season, it’s still not a “bad deal”for a starting wr on a one year deal.
Except, he isnt a starting wideout, in fact he might be the # 5 receiver on this depth chart
lol
LOL… that’s so ridiculous. He’s BY FAR the most impactful Packers WR.
When he’s on the field, the Packers are 3.94 Yards Per Play better than when he’s not. That’s a massive difference.
He tilts the field. Even with a lack of production thus far, he takes a CB and a Safety with him wherever he goes.
Lmao he’s never healthy
Yep. May as well flush that money. Since we’re expecting nothing, even a few deep catches are better than none. 🤷♂️
Hahaha
This makes a ton of sense for both parties. It’s not a ton of money considering the WR market now, and likely is only the one year extension. I’d be very surprised if he is a Packer come March 2027.
The Packers want him healthy at the end of the year. Him with Golden, Kraft, Reed on the field? Look out. And the compensatory pick will be better after 2026 – by the time Savion Williams is ready. He was very raw coming in.
And Watson wants some career guarantees at least. He knows he will make more money in a longer term deal playing well at the end of this year and next year.
Feeding a Christian to the Lions probably wouldn’t be a great PR move so the Packers have to keep him around a bit longer.
lol
bust
Christian Watson has produced more in his career than Jamison Williams. You just spent $83 million for a complete knucklehead. Over three years. Meanwhile, we spent $13 million for one year and we’ll get a better compensatory pic after he falls out or if he doesn’t, it’s only one year
Learn football. Try not to see with your hater eyes.
not sure what Jameson Williams has to do with anything but your boy Watson is a bust. It’s ok you’re a complete homer who thinks any move the Packers make is the greatest move in the history of football. “Learn football” Lol
Suck on that L from last week, hater. Your Honolulu Blue team’s time is over. Your window is shut. You’ll still make the playoffs. But that’s it.
And more seriously, 1 year 13m is hardly a massive investment, and Watson is not a “bust.” Have injuries gotten in his way? Yep. But he’s been effective. For a 2nd round pick, far more do far worse. And then we’re back to 1 year with 6m guaranteed.
This is a good move for both parties. And if you can’t see that? Speaking of massive homers…
I say it again. Either look with real eyes, or learn football. It’s one of the two.
not a lions fan pal
Well then. My bad. Lol. But you clearly do hate the packers. Whatever your allegiances are.
This is a win win deal with no down side. Calling Watson a bust is at best not a good faith argument.
600 yard receiver gets paid
600 yard receiver who makes his team demonstrably better when he’s on the field vs when he’s not… gets paid.
3.94 Yards Per Play. That’s a MASSIVE difference when he’s on the field vs when he’s not.
He addressed his hamstring issues by going to a specialist and he had a fluke ACL. When he comes back, with this WRing core, he makes a massive impact to our defense.
They’re rewarding him for being an injury prone under-achiever
His daddy took great offense when the packers drafted Golden in the 1st round. Maybe Watson will stop being such an under achiever
Cheap upside play for the Packers and security for Watson. I don’t see a problem with it.