The Packers recently made Christian Watson one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the sport, while allowing Green Bay’s leading receiver in 2025 to depart via free agency and sign with the New England Patriots.
Packers all-in on Christian Watson
Oct 13, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) celebrates with wide receivers Christian Watson (9) and Jayden Reed (11) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
From here on out, Watson and Doubs’ career trajectories are bound to be compared by fans and media alike, but there is a simple reason why the Packers chose to commit $110.5 million to Watson over the next four years, while shaking Doubs’ hand and wishing him well elsewhere.
Advertisement
“If you’re asking whether I’d rather have Doubs at $17M per or Watson at $24M per,” Insider Mike Spofford writes for the team’s official website. “I’d take Watson in a heartbeat. The career yards per catch of 12.0 vs. 17.0 says a lot. I appreciate everything Doubs did in his four years here. He was productive and mostly reliable. But he doesn’t tilt the field. Watson does.”
If nothing else, Watson is a field stretcher, and the kind of player who could be an ideal complement to former first-round pick Matthew Golden.
After catching 133 passes for 2,264 yards with 20 touchdowns through his first four seasons, Green Bay is banking on Watson not just staying healthy, but leveling up in his ability to impact the outcome of games.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) makes a 60-yard reception during the fourth quarter of their game Sunday, November 17, 2024, at Solider Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears 20-19.