Christian Watson signs a 4 year 110m extension

[tynimiller]

I'd say more like locked for 2

Watson is due a $13 million roster bonus on the third day of the league-year in 2028. If Watson isn’t playing up to expectations, the Packers can move on at that point.

The per game bonuses definitely give the Packers a bit of margin for injury.

If he stays healthy and even stays stagnant in productivity and efficiency that season and bonus is a no brainer. I wouldn't disagree however with the 2 and an asterick

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

If he stays healthy and even stays stagnant in productivity and efficiency that season and bonus is a no brainer. I wouldn't disagree however with the 2 and an asterick

With the way salaries are flying off the charts, by 2028, this could be a bargain price for Watson, if as you say, he stays healthy. As far as his production goes, I know you implied that his stats should go way up if he actually does stay healthy.

I'm not mad at all with this contract. I still am concerned about keeping Watson healthy, but that goes with just about every NFL player. We will all be holding our collective breaths that Parsons stays healthy when he returns.

It would be interesting to have a conversation with Watson and his agent. Had he not signed a new deal and had a healthy, very productive 2026, these numbers could have been a lot bigger. I guess both he and the Packers were taking his past injuries into consideration, from both sides of things.

 

[tynimiller]

With the way salaries are flying off the charts, by 2028, this could be a bargain price for Watson, if as you say, he stays healthy. As far as his production goes, I know you implied that his stats should go way up if he actually does stay healthy.

I'm not mad at all with this contract. I still am concerned about keeping Watson healthy, but that goes with just about every NFL player. We will all be holding our collective breaths that Parsons stays healthy when he returns.

It would be interesting to have a conversation with Watson and his agent. Had he not signed a new deal and had a healthy, very productive 2026, these numbers could have been a lot bigger. I guess both he and the Packers were taking his past injuries into consideration, from both sides of things.

That is why that $13M roster bonus exists in 2028 as someone pointed out - if health is a serious issue you can part ways and it's an additional $13M saved. Watson and his agent were cognizant and fair, as is GB for sure too...because if Watson is what they believe he is - you could absolutely see him play every single year out of this contract.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

That is why that $13M roster bonus exists in 2028 as someone pointed out

Yup, which is why is could end up being only a 2 year deal.

The contract also includes a total of $10.325 million in per-game roster bonuses – meaning he’ll have to play to get paid, at least some of his contract.

 

[tynimiller]

Yup, which is why is could end up being only a 2 year deal.

The contract also includes a total of $10.325 million in per-game roster bonuses – meaning he’ll have to play to get paid, at least some of his contract.

Yup in many ways Watson's structure is about as close as one could hope to get to the style you have always asked for more to be like.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Yup in many ways Watson's structure is about as close as one could hope to get to the style you have always asked for more to be like.

This contract is looking better and better from a team standpoint.

CW is a freaky-good talent...If he can just stay healthy. When he's on the field, the other team has a problem to contend with, and that opens things up for Green Bay's other weapons.

 

[mradtke66]

This contract is a steal.

Alec Pierce was seen at the closes comp, which is why many were nervous. Watson is guaranteed less than HALF what he got.

Watson only gets his 31M bonus, everything else is salary and game day active.

Pierce got 26M signing and 2026 salary, 2027 salary guaranteed for a total of 60M. 14m of 2028 salary is guaranteed in 2027 (while not technically 100%, he will all but certainly receive this with a 50M dead cap number if they cut him in 2027) and 10m near the beginning of 2028.

We can talk about protecting the franchise, which his contract does, per my previous comment on this, he WILL be under-paid if he stays healthy. Giving him that 13m roster bonus is almost the consolation prize--too good/healthy to cut, not good/healthy enough to extend.

 

[Firethorn1001]

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/packers-huge-mistake-christian-watson-130900967.html

Uneducated drivel. Someone got paid for this?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

get to the style you have always asked for more to be like.

They'll never get to fully incentive based contracts, but yeah, this is better than a lot if contracts I've seen.

 

[Magooch]

Yeah, I think that's a super deal for us.

Just a quick look at the charts...
Watson's new contract is 14th in total value, but 20th in yearly average and only 25th in total guarantees. Even right now, that is basically "High-end WR2" type of money and "low-end WR1" at best. Some of them have moved or had pieces moving around them, but in the last year or two we had guys like Tee Higgins, Jaylen Waddle, George Pickens, Jameson Williams, Devonta Smith, etc. all as their team's ostensible "WR2" and making more money than Watson will be going forward.

When you look at some of the guys who are now behind Watson but will be looking at new contracts in the next few years, I mean, it wouldn't even be surprising if by year 3 of this deal that Watson was finding himself outside the top 32 WRs in the league even. Maybe not quite to that extent but at the rate WR contracts are going I would expect so long as he stays healthy he will be seen as criminally underpaid in just a few years

 

[Curly Calhoun]

This contract is a steal.

Alec Pierce was seen at the closes comp, which is why many were nervous. Watson is guaranteed less than HALF what he got.

Watson only gets his 31M bonus, everything else is salary and game day active.

Pierce got 26M signing and 2026 salary, 2027 salary guaranteed for a total of 60M. 14m of 2028 salary is guaranteed in 2027 (while not technically 100%, he will all but certainly receive this with a 50M dead cap number if they cut him in 2027) and 10m near the beginning of 2028.

We can talk about protecting the franchise, which his contract does, per my previous comment on this, he WILL be under-paid if he stays healthy. Giving him that 13m roster bonus is almost the consolation prize--too good/healthy to cut, not good/healthy enough to extend.

And Pierce, while productive, simply cannot tilt the field the way Watson does. The health concern is always there, but when he's on the field the Packers are a much, much better offense.

 

[tynimiller]

And Pierce, while productive, simply cannot tilt the field the way Watson does. The health concern is always there, but when he's on the field the Packers are a much, much better offense.

I will say I think many don't realize how good Pierce is to an extent like many undersell Watson too...some comparisons below:

Yards Per Route Run - Watson 2.28 > Pierce 2.10
Yards Per Target Career - Watson 10.0 > Pierce 9.9
Yards Per Target 2025 - Pierce 11.9 > Watson 11.1
Yards Per Reception Career - Pierce 18.7 > Watson 17.0 *Pierce has led the league two years in a row!
Yards Per Reception 2025 - Pierce 21.3 > Watson 17.5
Expected Points Added Per Target - Pierce .66 > Watson .59
Avg Depth of Target Career - Pierce 16.7 > Watson 16.1
ADOT 2025 - Pierce 18.9 > Watson 17.8

PFF Comps
PFF Run Blocking Grade 2025 - Watson 60.3 > Pierce 54.6
PFF Offensive Grade 2025 - Watson 82.7 > Pierce 79.3
PFF Receiving Grade 2025 - Watson 83.9 > Pierce 81.0

 

[Heyjoe4]

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.

Miracle was the wrong word, and I certainly didn't mean it to apply to the entire team.

The Packers need to know if Jacobs is gonna be available to start the season, and the sooner they know, the better. If he isn't, then Gluten will have to find a veteran somewhere, waiver wire, trade, I dunno. I'm just not comfortable starting the year with Lloyd as the #1 RB with Brooks second. (I certainly hope Lloyd can play up to his potential.)

I don't believe everyone on the roster is trash, and don't see how you could interpret my comment that way. Regardless, it's just the opposite. The team has a LOT of talent on offense and defense and should be in the playoffs. But there are a lot of questions around the RB situation, and that will be resolved sometime soon (I hope…..).

Hope that clears it up.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Yup, pretty much what I expected locked for three, easily can be kept for four or five if he is delivering as a WR1 or walked from after 2028.

To not have a single year of his contract hit the cap for more than $30M is incredible. WR1 play and you let him see the entire of the contract...and you have some restructure options too easily even if really needed.

2027 our WR room is still quite cheap CW @ $11.5M JR @ $10.8M and Golden @ $4.8M.....that is still less than many teams are having ONE player hit their cap for at WR.

The WR room is cheap by NFL standards, and talented. The team has its top two receivers locked up, with the third on the 2nd year of his rookie deal. Almost perfect IMO.

 

[Heyjoe4]

And Pierce, while productive, simply cannot tilt the field the way Watson does. The health concern is always there, but when he's on the field the Packers are a much, much better offense.

For the first time last season, it was clear what Watson's presence means to the team. He's a huge weapon on offense. Getting Kraft back early is huge, and Golden certainly looks like he's going to have a productive year.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

For the first time last season, it was clear what Watson's presence means to the team. He's a huge weapon on offense. Getting Kraft back early is huge, and Golden certainly looks like he's going to have a productive year.

Those three, and Jaden Reed, give Jordan Love plenty of quality options. Savion Williams may also be in the mix as a gadget-type of player.

Once again, it comes down to staying healthy.

 

[Firethorn1001]

I don't believe everyone on the roster is trash, and don't see how you could interpret my comment that way.

Sorry, was referring to just RB on the roster not the roster in total.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

I will say I think many don't realize how good Pierce is to an extent like many undersell Watson too...some comparisons below:

Yards Per Route Run - Watson 2.28 > Pierce 2.10
Yards Per Target Career - Watson 10.0 > Pierce 9.9
Yards Per Target 2025 - Pierce 11.9 > Watson 11.1
Yards Per Reception Career - Pierce 18.7 > Watson 17.0 *Pierce has led the league two years in a row!
Yards Per Reception 2025 - Pierce 21.3 > Watson 17.5
Expected Points Added Per Target - Pierce .66 > Watson .59
Avg Depth of Target Career - Pierce 16.7 > Watson 16.1
ADOT 2025 - Pierce 18.9 > Watson 17.8

PFF Comps
PFF Run Blocking Grade 2025 - Watson 60.3 > Pierce 54.6
PFF Offensive Grade 2025 - Watson 82.7 > Pierce 79.3
PFF Receiving Grade 2025 - Watson 83.9 > Pierce 81.0

I'm not trying to diminish Pierce - He's very good and any team would be delighted to have him on their roster.

Watson, however, has freaky athletic ability, and he can do things most players simply cannot do. His potential upside is huge, and another poster here mentioned, we caught a glimpse of it last season.

 

[tynimiller]

I'm not trying to diminish Pierce - He's very good and any team would be delighted to have him on their roster.

Watson, however, has freaky athletic ability, and he can do things most players simply cannot do. His potential upside is huge, and another poster here mentioned, we caught a glimpse of it last season.

Oh for sure, crazy thing is when it comes to freaky athletes I think Pierce still escapes some folks minds (not yours necessarily but people in general).

Here are the two guys athletic testings:

6'3' 211lbs | 4.41 Forty | 1.46 10yd Split | 40.5 Vertical | 1009 Broad | 4.28 Shuttle
6'4' 208lbs | 4.36 Forty | 1.45 10yd Split | 38.5 Vertical | 1104 Broad | 4.19 Shuttle

They're both absolute freaks physically....likely knowing the above two are these two guys we are talking about you likely know which is which due to being a Packer fan, but really good chance many folks would be amazed to see how similar they are.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I will say I think many don't realize how good Pierce is to an extent like many undersell Watson too...some comparisons below:

Yards Per Route Run - Watson 2.28 > Pierce 2.10
Yards Per Target Career - Watson 10.0 > Pierce 9.9
Yards Per Target 2025 - Pierce 11.9 > Watson 11.1
Yards Per Reception Career - Pierce 18.7 > Watson 17.0 *Pierce has led the league two years in a row!
Yards Per Reception 2025 - Pierce 21.3 > Watson 17.5
Expected Points Added Per Target - Pierce .66 > Watson .59
Avg Depth of Target Career - Pierce 16.7 > Watson 16.1
ADOT 2025 - Pierce 18.9 > Watson 17.8

PFF Comps
PFF Run Blocking Grade 2025 - Watson 60.3 > Pierce 54.6
PFF Offensive Grade 2025 - Watson 82.7 > Pierce 79.3
PFF Receiving Grade 2025 - Watson 83.9 > Pierce 81.0

You left out a few important details though.

Both players have been in the league 4 years, so a decent comparison.

Games Played:

- Pierce: 64
- Watson: 48

Total Yards:

- Pierce: 2934
- Watson: 2264

Total Receptions:

- Pierce: 157
- Watson: 133

I bring those up, simply because they are measures of what each player has done in their 4 years with their perspective teams. So in those 4 years, I would say Pierce was more valuable to his team. The counter argument is "But Watson was injured a few times and missed several games." Yup, and that is probably one of the biggest reasons why his contract was less than Pierce's.

 

[tynimiller]

You left out a few important details though.

Both players have been in the league 4 years, so a decent comparison.

Games Played:

- Pierce: 64
- Watson: 48

Total Yards:

- Pierce: 2934
- Watson: 2264

Total Receptions:

- Pierce: 157
- Watson: 133

I bring those up, simply because they are measures of what each player has done in their 4 years with their perspective teams. So in those 4 years, I would say Pierce was more valuable to his team. The counter argument is "But Watson was injured a few times and missed several games." Yup, and that is probably one of the biggest reasons why his contract was less than Pierce's.

Didn't leave anything out, was looking at advance production stats many bypass and look just to yards and TDs. I thought I had put in their per game figures but that was a lapse on my part as that would have indicated a signficant thing as you hint at for sure.

They truly are the best player comp for eachother in almost every way possible.

 

[milani]

Miracle was the wrong word, and I certainly didn't mean it to apply to the entire team.

The Packers need to know if Jacobs is gonna be available to start the season, and the sooner they know, the better. If he isn't, then Gluten will have to find a veteran somewhere, waiver wire, trade, I dunno. I'm just not comfortable starting the year with Lloyd as the #1 RB with Brooks second. (I certainly hope Lloyd can play up to his potential.)

I don't believe everyone on the roster is trash, and don't see how you could interpret my comment that way. Regardless, it's just the opposite. The team has a LOT of talent on offense and defense and should be in the playoffs. But there are a lot of questions around the RB situation, and that will be resolved sometime soon (I hope…..).

Hope that clears it up.

And if Jacobs IS there, can he perform at a high level with the Sword of Damocles hanging over him?