Chaos in the NFC North often picks up right where it left off the previous year. The Green Bay Packers kicked off 2025 with a strong win against Detroit. But their receiver corp felt the absence of a key player. Christian Watson, the dynamic wide receiver drafted in 2022, is still out due to injury. His absence was felt on the field, and Packers supporters were worried about when their star playmaker would return.

Watson is still rehabbing the torn ACL he suffered in last year’s finale. But Green Bay moved quickly to secure his future. The Packers handed the wideout a one-year, $13.25 million extension that keeps him under contract through 2026, effectively ending any free agency chatter. Adam Schefter reported the deal, noting that it “allows him to focus on getting healthy and not having to play this season for a new deal,” per Watson’s agent Adisa Bakari.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said Watson is “ahead of the curve” in his recovery but confirmed he’ll begin the season on the PUP list. The structure of the extension was designed to ease the pressure, giving Watson room to focus solely on returning to full strength later this season without contract questions hanging over him.

The timeline for his return is still cautious. Sports surgeon Deepak Chona described the ACL as “clean.” And projected that Watson could be back by late October or early November. He also said, “It’s important to note that Christian Watson has elite 90-plus percentile pre-injury athleticism.” However, he cautioned about Watson’s history of serious hamstring strains, which could complicate his recovery. Since hamstrings serve as secondary stabilizers for the ACL, there’s a higher risk of setbacks during the first six weeks back. 

Watson’s injury history adds to the uncertainty. After a standout rookie season with 611 yards and nine touchdowns, hamstring issues limited him to just nine games in 2023. In 2024, he managed to play 15 games but ended up with only 620 yards and two touchdowns before tearing his ACL in Week 18. This track record explains why Green Bay is taking a cautious approach.

In his absence, the Packers are counting on Romeo Doubs, rookie Matthew Golden, and Jayden Reed to step up. While this trio is holding their own, none quite match Watson’s unique blend of size and speed. For now, it’s a waiting game. If Watson returns by November, let’s see how his return shakes the WR room. 

Christian Watson’s extension is a result of loyalty

Christian Watson’s father, Tazim Wajid Wajed, laid out the logic on Twitter, noting that Watson “is really enamored with the culture and team of the Packers” and that both sides believe in the relationship. Wajed explained the deal as essentially Green Bay exercising a discounted fifth-year option on a player they once tried to trade into the first round to draft. For Watson, it ensures security while rehabbing a torn ACL, and for the Packers, it locks in a player whose skill set still fits perfectly in Matt LaFleur’s offense.

The extension keeps Watson in Green Bay through 2026, giving him space to return at full strength without the pressure of a contract year. He’s currently on the PUP list but is eligible to return as early as Week 6, with rehab already reported ahead of schedule. As Wajed put it: “You show loyalty to those who show loyalty to you.” Could Watson have rolled the dice, come back midseason, and chased free agency dollars? Maybe. But both sides leaned into continuity. A choice that underscores Green Bay’s current title window.

While Watson’s deal stabilizes one side of the receiver room, it casts uncertainty on Romeo Doubs. The fourth-year wideout led the Packers in snaps and receiving yards (68) during Week 1 and has racked up 1,700+ yards and 15 touchdowns since 2022. Yet, his 22 drops and last season’s suspension remain part of the evaluation. Trade calls have already come in, and with rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, the front office has options.

For now, Doubs is still producing, Jayden Reed is looking good too, and the Packers’ depth chart remains fluid. Green Bay has extended Watson, invested heavily elsewhere on the roster, and built a strong young corps. Whether Doubs is part of that future beyond 2025 is a question the front office hasn’t answered yet. But loyalty’s already taking shape in Green Bay.