Instead of spending a lot of money on free agents, the Green Bay Packers prefer to sign their own players to contract extensions. Last summer, they signed star quarterback Jordan Love to a four-year, $220 million contract. This offseason, Green Bay signed right tackle Zach Tom to a mammoth four-year contract for $88 million.
Of course, there are several exceptions to this approach. Last year, the Packers signed safety Xavier McKinney and running back Josh Jacobs as free agents. Both qualified for the Pro Bowl in 2024 and were selected team captains for the 2025 NFL season.
This offseason, Green Bay signed left guard Aaron Banks to a four-year $77 million contract and traded for four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons, who received a four-year $188 million extension.
However, on Tuesday, they revealed another in-house move to keep one of their own players for the foreseeable future.
The Green Bay Packers have given wide receiver Christian Watson a one-year extension.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X (previously Twitter) that the Packers have agreed to a one-year contract extension with current recovering wide receiver Christian Watson. He will earn more than $13 million in 2026:
In three seasons with the Packers, Watson has 98 receptions for 1,653 yards and 14 touchdowns. His 14 touchdowns rank second among all players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, trailing only teammate Romeo Doubs and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London, who both have 15.
Watson is now on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he recovers from a ruptured ACL sustained in Week 18 last season. Due to his status on the PUP list, he must miss at least the first four games of the Packers’ season.
The fourth-year wide receiver is in the final year of his rookie contract, and signing this mini-extension allows him to focus on getting healthy rather than rushing back before free agency.
It also ensures that Green Bay will be able to partner him with fellow speedster Matthew Golden for at least another season beyond this one. However, it could also signal that they will leave Doubs at the end of 2025 since they cannot afford to maintain everyone.
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