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The Green Bay Packers like Christian Watson, clearly. You don't give a wide receiver $110.5 million over four years if you don't believe he can be your WR1.
Watson's new contract is a huge moment for his career. He's the former No. 34 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and there have been some durability questions that he's had to answer.
He's missed significant time due to injury over the past four seasons, but the Packers loved the way he bounced back from a torn ACL at the end of the 2024 season to come back with a vengeance late in 2025.
He caught 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns from Week 8 to Week 18 and was arguably one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
That's why the Packers paid him, but according to ESPN NFL reporter Jeff Darlington, this new contact for Watson has just as much to do with quarterback Jordan Love.
"This is not just about locking him [Watson] in long-term; this is about setting that core in place long-term along Jordan Love," Darlington said on NFL Live. "Now he's got Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden. He's got these guys set and ready to roll."
Darlington noted that Love has discussed the chemistry he has with his wide receivers this offseason and that it is "night and day different than it was last year."
Having Watson out there and healthy is clearly a big part of that. The 6-foot-4, 208 pound wideout became more than just a deep threat for Love at the end of last season. His route-tree grew and he became a wideout just as capable of beating a defense on a five yard out as he is on a deep bomb down the field.
The Packers invested a first-round draft pick in Matthew Golden and they also paid Jayden Reed this offseason, but their wide receiver room clearly revolves around Watson.
Obviously, concerns about injuries here, but the Packers feel very comfortable about the way he was able to rebound from those injuries," Darlington reported. "They feel like his future is projecting out even better than his past, and that is why they are willing to pay him."
The average annual value (AAV) of Watson's new contract is $27.625 million, which ranks him as the 15th highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. The last factor the Packers had to consider was the wideout market, and by getting this deal done now, they have to feel like they're saving themselves money in the future, as well.
"The market is skyrocketing. The Packers know that. They lock him up now, and they don't have to pay more in a few months," Darlington explained.
PackersRoundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Packers. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
Watson's new contract is a huge moment for his career. He's the former No. 34 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and there have been some durability questions that he's had to answer.
He's missed significant time due to injury over the past four seasons, but the Packers loved the way he bounced back from a torn ACL at the end of the 2024 season to come back with a vengeance late in 2025.
He caught 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns from Week 8 to Week 18 and was arguably one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
That's why the Packers paid him, but according to ESPN NFL reporter Jeff Darlington, this new contact for Watson has just as much to do with quarterback Jordan Love.
"This is not just about locking him [Watson] in long-term; this is about setting that core in place long-term along Jordan Love," Darlington said on NFL Live. "Now he's got Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden. He's got these guys set and ready to roll."
Darlington noted that Love has discussed the chemistry he has with his wide receivers this offseason and that it is "night and day different than it was last year."
Having Watson out there and healthy is clearly a big part of that. The 6-foot-4, 208 pound wideout became more than just a deep threat for Love at the end of last season. His route-tree grew and he became a wideout just as capable of beating a defense on a five yard out as he is on a deep bomb down the field.
The Packers invested a first-round draft pick in Matthew Golden and they also paid Jayden Reed this offseason, but their wide receiver room clearly revolves around Watson.
Obviously, concerns about injuries here, but the Packers feel very comfortable about the way he was able to rebound from those injuries," Darlington reported. "They feel like his future is projecting out even better than his past, and that is why they are willing to pay him."
The average annual value (AAV) of Watson's new contract is $27.625 million, which ranks him as the 15th highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. The last factor the Packers had to consider was the wideout market, and by getting this deal done now, they have to feel like they're saving themselves money in the future, as well.
"The market is skyrocketing. The Packers know that. They lock him up now, and they don't have to pay more in a few months," Darlington explained.
PackersRoundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Packers. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
