Christian Watson signs a 4 year 110m extension

[OldSchool101]

I'm not going say he ever has a five year deal because he doesn't, so I won't. I also can't put my faith in his 2.28 Y/RR, because really? Was that a route ran stat? I'm not saying that CW is bad, but I also want to see a player be able to eclipse more than 30 passes caught for more than half of their seasons is all. I also thought that the whole point of having a "prove it" contract, was to make sure a player had to actually "prove it" during the season of said contract. Again I'm not I'm not saying CW is trash, because I don't believe he is, but I do think that he had to fulfill the "prove it" year before we gave him a larger deal. I mean am wrong in thinking that he had to honor the extension we gave him before giving him $110 million with $31 million guaranteed?

I actually agree with your premise. However let he ask you this. If #9 plays 15+ games this year and clips his usual pace he’s well into a 1,000-1,300 yards WR and 8-12TD’s. That and he adds in leverage of holding both Safeties deep. Someone out there will hit him at a smooth $35Mil AAV area and 50% guaranteed


Really the key thing that matters is guaranteed. He’s got reasonably 2yrs guaranteed extension as we won’t apply his AAV $27.6 to the Cap in 2027. It’s what #12 would call a
2-1-1. The key aspect of this is the reason we could sign him to such a small extension is due to some minor injury history. I say minor because he’s actually played over 12+ games per season factoring all playoff games. I think 14-15 games might be more “normal”.

It’s his injury history that just saved us $$50mil++. I look at it from a monetary aspect and risk reward. You’re looking at it purely risk but not factoring that’s about the lowest guaranteed in the league for a WR1 type

 

[OldSchool101]

Christian Watson right now is signed to five years with GB. That is not hyperbole, symantics or anything other than facts. 2026 - signed. 2027 - signed. 2028 - signed. 2029 - signed. 2030 - signed. That is five years. That is how extensions work, they extend or ADD to existing contracts making the player and team agree to a contract structure that is the old remaining + the new.

The team was fully prepared to extend him I think before his injury but that put a pause on it, did the one year extension as a good faith gesture AND lock a CRAZY productive guy in house to see if he recovered and is well. Last year only a football blind person doesn't recognize the impact he has.

Only Alec Pierce ranks ahead of him last year in yards per catch, 17th in yards per game played, 8th highest in touchdowns/game....people only measure what they want. Ja'Marr Chase took 185 targets to get 8 TDs...Watson had 6 on just 55 targets.

Watson produced better than all receivers with 25 or more targets in yards than the entire league save three guys (Boutte, Pierce and Thornton).

He played just 10 games and wrecked defenses.

His yards per reception last year again was only beat by Pierce for qualifying WRs....and YET his 17.5 was only half a yard better than his CAREER AVERAGE.

I'm not saying all this to make folks think he is better than some of the guys in the league like Chase, Jefferson, JSN, Puka, St. Brown....but the foolish thing is to believe he isn't as productive, GB just doesn't run a high volume to one type offense - only Adams really ever saw that in my lifetime...at the most we were splitting majority of targets between two guys. Since Adams left only one guy has saw 100 targets and that was Lazard.

If Watson even just holds serve as to his production that would mean a 2026 line over over 1,000 yards / 10 TDs and that's assuming only like 60 receptions and 93 targets....he is getting Alec Pierce level money minimum next off season and likely higher guarantee than we had to give him spread over 5 years (YES FIVE).

Exactly what I was saying simultaneously @tynimiller I promise I didn’t cheat and plagiarize you!

It’s when I start looking at @David Ciembronowicz post though that made me look around at who’s doing what that’s comparable to #9. Actually a close comp overall is Drake London career wise. Both Watson and Drake were on fire to close 2025. Obviously we held Watson out in Week 18.

Another tidbit. Both Watson and Kraft tied at #20 in the NFL for most yards per game (Exactly 61.1 for both). At that trajectory had both played all 17 games instead of 18 total (including injury games they didn’t finish) were talking 2,077.77 yards across a single season.

As a DC.. Who do you commit resources towards? You’ve still got Reed and Golden wandering around. Reed led our team in receptions in both 2023-2024 and Golden is about to bust out. Just watch him at Chicago and you can see it. We’re about to add Kraft to the 4 year grouping of HellCats

 

[Cornelius Weems]

I actually agree with your premise. However let he ask you this. If #9 plays 15+ games this year and clips his usual pace he’s well into a 1,000-1,300 yards WR and 8-12TD’s. That and he adds in leverage of holding both Safeties deep. Someone out there will hit him at a smooth $35Mil AAV area and 50% guaranteed


Really the key thing that matters is guaranteed. He’s got reasonably 2yrs guaranteed extension as we won’t apply his AAV $27.6 to the Cap in 2027. It’s what #12 would call a
2-1-1. The key aspect of this is the reason we could sign him to such a small extension is due to some minor injury history. I say minor because he’s actually played over 12+ games per season factoring all playoff games. I think 14-15 games might be more “normal”.

It’s his injury history that just saved us $$50mil++. I look at it from a monetary aspect and risk reward. You’re looking at it purely risk but not factoring that’s about the lowest guaranteed in the league for a WR1 type

I totally get your P.O.V. and I hope for the best out of Watson, so I'm rooting for the man. I think that he can really be a difference maker as long as he produces, as we really need him. But I also am troubled by his past production. As for what I said earlier, I very clearly stated that he has 4 deal, BECAUSE HE DOES. Now I will say he is signed for 5 years, but it is a ONE year deal with another 4 year contract following that. I never stated that he wasn't signed for 5 years, again I very clearly stated that it isn't a 5 year deal, I only see the initial 1 year extension, plus the new 4 year 110 million dollar deal. I'll say it again, being signed for 5 years isn't a 5 year contract (which is what I thought that I clearly stated) and know that 1+4 = 5, but also recognize that they are 2 separate numbers. I'm not trying to be insulting, and if I am, I apologize. But I also found what was said to me kind of insulting.

 

[milani]

I totally get your P.O.V. and I hope for the best out of Watson, so I'm rooting for the man. I think that he can really be a difference maker as long as he produces, as we really need him. But I also am troubled by his past production. As for what I said earlier, I very clearly stated that he has 4 deal, BECAUSE HE DOES. Now I will say he is signed for 5 years, but it is a ONE year deal with another 4 year contract following that. I never stated that he wasn't signed for 5 years, again I very clearly stated that it isn't a 5 year deal, I only see the initial 1 year extension, plus the new 4 year 110 million dollar deal. I'll say it again, being signed for 5 years isn't a 5 year contract (which is what I thought that I clearly stated) and know that 1+4 = 5, but also recognize that they are 2 separate numbers. I'm not trying to be insulting, and if I am, I apologize. But I also found what was said to me kind of insulting.

I think for ANY of our receivers to put up a few numbers in 2026 we will still need to be able to run the football. Or it will be a year of 30-40 passes a game.

 

[Heyjoe4]

This is so f'n exciting.

Jordan's weapons are set for the next 4ish years if everything goes well. Kraft will be done, Watson and Reed just re-signed, Golden/Savion on rookie deals.

We can focus on the defense. We can focus on the O-line. This is awesome

I agree. The receiving talent is substantial and locked in. It sounds like the OL guy they picked up in the 5th round is doing well in OTAs, and it would be great to go into a season with a solid group of starters and decent depth

I like the Packers D, with a huge "?" at CB. Gluten did what he could through the draft and FA, but it's not a huge remake, as he did at S a few years ago. I do think the Edge guys and LBs will be fine, and that much better when Parsons gets back - probably last half of October.

I'm looking forward to a good year from the Packers.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Eh structure of Watson will make this valid or not. Reed is 17 each of his last two which is more than easy to do if he is producing or easily walked away from

Watson structure hasn't been released yet that ive seen

Yeah it's great that Reed and Watson are under contract. I'd like to see the exit door if Watson fails - something I do not expect. But it's always good to have a solid exit plan in the NFL to minimize future dead cap.

The biggest issue for Watson is his health, and even that concern has greatly diminished. He came back very strong last season after the ACL tear and was contributing his first game back. He missed one game due to a hit to the shoulder or chest, not a big deal IMO.

Finally, I think Watson has put the hamstring problems behind him. That's a credit to him and the training team/researchers. It's a difficult injury to treat and to prevent from happening again.

 

[Heyjoe4]

This contract for me answers some concerns. The 2 areas of instability to me are both RB and WR. After losing Doubs and Wicks those were essentially 2 of our top 4 producers. Doubs was a great pick in Round 4. He did everything you can ask for. The reality is he'd still be the WR3 or WR4 behind Reed, Watson and possibly Golden. We can’t pay a WR3-4 $15Mil annual or whatever he got.
That said it’s highly likely Golden continues to rise and earns more targets. Not being mean towards Doubs but he really benefited from Watson and Reed missing time. I mean their injuries and him capitalizing on it made him a boatload of cash.

Doubs did benefit from the missed time by Watson and Reed. But if he were still on the team, he'd be WR #3 and those guys aren't worth $15 mil/year. Doubs is worth that much and probably got it from NE. Do you (or anyone) know what kind of deal NE gave him?

I really liked Doubs. He was a reliable possession receiver, ran great routes and has great hands. He's not gonna burn anyone, but he'll have a long career in the NFL.

 

[Cornelius Weems]

I think for ANY of our receivers to put up a few numbers in 2026 we will still need to be able to run the football. Or it will be a year of 30-40 passes a game.

I definitely agree, any game plan better be a balanced one. I think that I won't be the only one watching a balanced attack that eventually leads to a SB victory.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Christian Watson right now is signed to five years with GB. That is not hyperbole, symantics or anything other than facts. 2026 - signed. 2027 - signed. 2028 - signed. 2029 - signed. 2030 - signed. That is five years. That is how extensions work, they extend or ADD to existing contracts making the player and team agree to a contract structure that is the old remaining + the new.

The team was fully prepared to extend him I think before his injury but that put a pause on it, did the one year extension as a good faith gesture AND lock a CRAZY productive guy in house to see if he recovered and is well. Last year only a football blind person doesn't recognize the impact he has.

Only Alec Pierce ranks ahead of him last year in yards per catch, 17th in yards per game played, 8th highest in touchdowns/game....people only measure what they want. Ja'Marr Chase took 185 targets to get 8 TDs...Watson had 6 on just 55 targets.

Watson produced better than all receivers with 25 or more targets in yards than the entire league save three guys (Boutte, Pierce and Thornton).

He played just 10 games and wrecked defenses.

His yards per reception last year again was only beat by Pierce for qualifying WRs....and YET his 17.5 was only half a yard better than his CAREER AVERAGE.

I'm not saying all this to make folks think he is better than some of the guys in the league like Chase, Jefferson, JSN, Puka, St. Brown....but the foolish thing is to believe he isn't as productive, GB just doesn't run a high volume to one type offense - only Adams really ever saw that in my lifetime...at the most we were splitting majority of targets between two guys. Since Adams left only one guy has saw 100 targets and that was Lazard.

If Watson even just holds serve as to his production that would mean a 2026 line over over 1,000 yards / 10 TDs and that's assuming only like 60 receptions and 93 targets....he is getting Alec Pierce level money minimum next off season and likely higher guarantee than we had to give him spread over 5 years (YES FIVE).

Agree on Watson as a proven producer in the NFL. No question. Thanks for the stats.

I thought the deal he signed with GB was very team-friendly. It would have been worth a lot more if not for his injury history. But I think his hamstring problem has been treated as well as these difficult injuries can be treated. The ACL tear and the shoulder/chest injury are just gonna happen now and then. They aren't part of a pattern.

I'b be happy with a 1000 yards plus, 10 TD season - although I think he's gonna do a lot better than that. a lot depends on how well Golden steps up.

In any case, the Packers have Watson, Reed, Golden, and Kraft to count on. That's as good a foursome on one team.

But in the Murphy's Law section - RB has become a BIG problem for Gluten. I don't know how this gets resolved. At a minimum, Gluten needs to add a vet for security. That's a tall order.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I definitely agree, any game plan better be a balanced one. I think that I won't be the only one watching a balanced attack that eventually leads to a SB victory.

You and milani are right. Having Watson, Reed, Golden, and Kraft available in the receiving group will go a lot farther with a solid run game. That's up in the air now. Gluten will probably have to bring in a vet, and soon. It's a very hard problem to solve at this point in the offseason.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm trying to steer clear of too much negativity or optimism about Watson's new contract, until after I see the actual details of it. What I have been seeing is a lot of negativity about it from sources that aren't connected to the Packers. Some of which, I agree with. Again, depending on how the contract looks, the Packers appeared to have shelled out a ton of money on "potential". The potential for Watson to stay healthy and the potential for Watson to put up numbers that reflect that sizable of a contract. As some reporters have pointed out, he hasn't even put up average #2 WR numbers in 4 years and yet the Packers might be paying him top 20 WR money.

Again, I think we all can discuss this a lot better, once we see the actual contract numbers.

 

[McKnowledge]

I respect the moves Gute and the organization have made this offseason.

I thought Jaydeen Reed should've gotten moved to Miami for Achane, but I can appreciate the sentiment to keep him in Green Bay.

When healthy, Reed is a connector that can open different areas of the field.

Watson got a well deserved extension and I hope the contract benefits all involved including us...the fans.

Removing dissent from the WR rooms needed. There is a pecking order. Finally.

Wicks and Doubs were talented, but the production never exceeded their unhappiness with their roles.

Defensively, the pieces are falling into place, but the pass rushing needs to remain the priority,
whether its pure pass rush or generated from coverage/containment.

 

[OldSchool101]

I thought that I clearly stated) and know that 1+4 = 5, but also recognize that they are 2 separate numbers.

Ok hold on hold on.
I’m not trying to insult anyone.

With each contract there’s a CONTRACT OUT year and the + use a symbol used to represent that contract “out” maybe a couple $4Mil leftover for those that want to nitpick but tyats it. The point is not a counting exercise for kindergarten or some tool to insult us, when they use + that = contract out. Sorry if you thought that was something I would make up to test math equations. Has absolutely positively zero to do with that and I’m sorry you took it that way as I had no intention on testing your math with such an exercise. I maybe assumed you knew what + meant in contract extending and for that I do apologize. I hope that makes sense.

This extension on the face is a 2+1+1+1 with + representing each season GB can walk away.

 

[Pkrjones]

I think for ANY of our receivers to put up a few numbers in 2026 we will still need to be able to run the football. Or it will be a year of 30-40 passes a game.

If Love & receivers can hurt the D when they put 8 in the box it'll work. MLF's problem in '25 was forcing the run against 8+ in the box. Take what the D gives, hurt them either way. I hope MLF continues allowing Love to change plays & GB offense will succeed.

 

[OldSchool101]

I’m not afraid to guess I could care less if things change next week..

MY contention is based on Packers history this will be a 3+1+1. Meaning he’s locked 2026-2028. The only thing I can do is either converse with real time info or go away. I prefer to discuss with some folks using real time info that’s the best I got.

 

[Cornelius Weems]

You and milani are right. Having Watson, Reed, Golden, and Kraft available in the receiving group will go a lot farther with a solid run game. That's up in the air now. Gluten will probably have to bring in a vet, and soon. It's a very hard problem to solve at this point in the offseason.

I'd love to see a balanced attack and a definite show of balance. SEA just won the SB and showed a great balance of running, passing, defense and SP. If it was me, that would have been my focus in the off-season. I also would have loved to see Kraft get some of that money. TK is not only a great blocker, but tends to be very reliable. Mustgrave is alright, but everyone knows who is the top TE on this team, hell, I'd say in the division.

 

[Pkrjones]

I think Kraft's represetatives would prefer to wait until mid-season, allowing Tucker time to prove he's healthy and a top-3 player post-ACL. Top-15 deal would be $10mil/yr. Top-10 puts him at $12mil/yr. Top 5 is at $13.1mil/yr. Top-3 is $15.045mil/yr.

My guess is his reps wants him to show he's a top-3 player and that he's healthy. I'm guessing an October deal happens at 4yr/$61mil. Doubt it'll approach Kittle $ ($19mil/yr), but stranger things gave happened.

 

[Heyjoe4]

If Love & receivers can hurt the D when they put 8 in the box it'll work. MLF's problem in '25 was forcing the run against 8+ in the box. Take what the D gives, hurt them either way. I hope MLF continues allowing Love to change plays & GB offense will succeed.

Agreed. And unless there is a miracle, GB will have to rely on the passing game to carry games. Maybe Jacobs can start in September, maybe he can't. Way too much uncertainty over such an important role. Gluten will need to rent-a-RB from somewhere, probably during cutdowns.

And little or nothing has been written about the alleged victim. There are two very-important sides in this story, and we need to hear both - or rather, a judge needs to hear both. Until that happens, the uncertainty is an unwelcome presence in the GB locker room.

 

[Firethorn1001]

Agreed. And unless there is a miracle, GB will have to rely on the passing game to carry games. Maybe Jacobs can start in September, maybe he can't. Way too much uncertainty over such an important role. Gluten will need to rent-a-RB from somewhere, probably during cutdowns.

I don't think the Packers are anywhere near 'miracle' territory. I guess if you believe everyone on the roster is trash and it is either Jacobs or waiver wire that certainly is a take that would lead one down that miracle path, but not one I particularly share.

 

[milani]

Agreed. And unless there is a miracle, GB will have to rely on the passing game to carry games. Maybe Jacobs can start in September, maybe he can't. Way too much uncertainty over such an important role. Gluten will need to rent-a-RB from somewhere, probably during cutdowns.

And little or nothing has been written about the alleged victim. There are two very-important sides in this story, and we need to hear both - or rather, a judge needs to hear both. Until that happens, the uncertainty is an unwelcome presence in the GB locker room.

And bringing a RB on board at the last minute is different than signing an elite pass rusher at the end of preseason. Learning the offense in 2026 is a lot harder. It may take time.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

And bringing a RB on board at the last minute is different than signing an elite pass rusher at the end of preseason. Learning the offense in 2026 is a lot harder. It may take time.

I am guessing that the Packers know more than we do in regards to the Jacobs situation. He was back practicing and they haven't traded for or signed any available "top" FA RB's. If they really thought he was going to be suspended and/or prosecuted, they really would be silly to be sitting on their hands waiting. The RB room behind Jacobs is weak and I don't think starting caliber, yet alone really all that solid of backups either.

Whether Jacobs is or isn't playing in 2026, I still feel the Packers would do themselves a favor and improve their RB room by signing a proven starting FA RB. Depending on Najee Harris's health (sustained torn Achilles in Sep. 2025), would love to see him in Green and Gold and I don't think he would be that expensive. Sounds like he is sprinting full speed and doing a lot of work, as well as visiting teams that are interested in him. He just turned 28, has been very good at both running and receiving. Even if Jacobs is cleared from charges and doesn't get suspended, a Jacobs-Harris duo could really juice the offense.

I know some fans thing RB's are a dime a dozen and you can just plug and play them into any offense. Personally, I don't agree with that sentiment. Especially not the "plug and play." NFL offenses today are complicated. A RB can have a ton of duties, whether they are running the ball, going out for a pass or staying home to block. You can't just hand a RB a playbook and expect him to absorb it in a short time.

Really Gute? I hope you are searching for a RB, because I'm not impressed at letting Wilson walk and then doing nothing in the draft to address the lack of depth at the position.

 

[OldSchool101]

And bringing a RB on board at the last minute is different than signing an elite pass rusher at the end of preseason. Learning the offense in 2026 is a lot harder. It may take time.

That’s exactly what I’ve been saying. There are several position groups that adapt faster and RB is one of those. Particularly if it’s a veteran player like Josh was coming over. We can afford to wait another month or two and allowing things to develop before making any grandiose decisions regarding Jacobs. I’d definitely be doing due diligence either way as it was a position of need before Jacob’s arrest.