{"id":765979,"date":"2026-02-21T03:59:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T03:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/765979\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T03:59:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T03:59:15","slug":"green-bay-should-extend-christian-watson-again-before-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/765979\/","title":{"rendered":"Green Bay Should Extend Christian Watson (Again) Before 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last year, the Green Bay Packers and Christian Watson<\/a> agreed<\/a> to a one-year, $13.25 million extension, but that move doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t make a broader commitment. Both sides are free to negotiate a new long-term deal this offseason, and doing so would be the best outcome for both parties.<\/p>\n

Despite making his season debut in Week 8, Watson still finished<\/a> second among Green Bay\u2019s receiving corps in targets, receiving yards, EPA per game, EPA per catch, and EPA per target. He also ranked first in yards per catch and tied for first in yards per game at 61.1 alongside Tucker Kraft<\/a>. Moreover, Watson placed second league-wide<\/a> among receivers with at least 50 targets in yards per catch.<\/p>\n

A healthy Christian Watson is the most dangerous weapon the #Packers<\/a> have on offense.
pic.twitter.com\/yBPt64Icpf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Felipe Reis Aceti (@Aceti_Felipe) November 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Jordan Love<\/a> performed at a significantly higher level when Watson was on the field last season. His QBR reached 77.7 with Watson in the lineup, compared to 69.5 without him. According to<\/a> Next Gen Stats, Love also outperformed expectations more consistently in those situations, posting a +5.5% completion percentage over expectation versus +2.5% when Watson was off the field.<\/p>\n

Love\u2019s ball security and scoring efficiency also improved. He had a 5.5 touchdown-to-interception ratio alongside Watson, dropping to 3.0 without him. Over the 10 games Watson played in 2025, Love logged a 76.7 QBR \u2014 the second-best mark in the league in that span, behind only Brock Purdy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are now four seasons of evidence showing that when Christian Watson is healthy, he\u2019s the most dangerous playmaker in Green Bay\u2019s offense. That\u2019s why there\u2019s a compelling case to extend No. 9 and keep him in the building for the foreseeable future \u2014 and the alignment is there on both sides. During Super Bowl week, Watson shared that he wants a long-term future in Green Bay.<\/p>\n

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork<\/a>: #Packers<\/a> WR Christian Watson joined the show to discuss Green Bay\u2019s season, his new position coach, and how money he can be. pic.twitter.com\/W7FWodACoh<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely,\u201d Watson said about staying in Green Bay. \u201cMy goal is to be with Green Bay long term. That\u2019s where I want to be. \u2026 Ideally, I\u2019d like to get something done that keeps me there. I\u2019ve got people around me who handle that side \u2014 I\u2019m just focused on going out there and playing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spotrac projects<\/a> Watson to sign a three-year, $46.7 million deal in 2027 free agency \u2014 about $15.5 million per year. In my Packers offseason simulation<\/a>, I valued him more aggressively, projecting a three-year, $67.5 million contract instead.<\/p>\n

Based strictly on the Spotrac estimate, that would look like an overpay. But market reality \u2014 especially for explosive, field-tilting receivers \u2014 suggests his price could land much closer to the $20 million-per-year range annually if he delivers a fully healthy, high-impact season. At that level, the deal would still be justified by how influential he is in Matt LaFleur\u2019s offense in the passing game and as a blocker.<\/p>\n

Watch Christian Watson:
pic.twitter.com\/w06il8FrPI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Felipe Reis Aceti (@Aceti_Felipe) November 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Christian Watson turns 27 in May, and it would be reasonable to expect the Packers to pursue a new contract structure that keeps him tied to the organization into his early 30s. That timeline syncs up well with his prime years and the current competitive window of the roster.<\/p>\n

Green Bay still needs to make a few cap adjustments<\/a>, but those moves could create the flexibility required to be active this offseason \u2014 and one of the priorities should be working toward a new deal for No. 9.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t