You’re right on the money—despite being sidelined with a torn ACL, the Green Bay Packers have indeed rewarded wide receiver Christian Watson with a one-year, $13.25 million contract extension. This deal keeps him under contract through the 2026 season, giving him stability and the freedom to focus fully on his recovery without the immediate pressure of free agency
It’s September 10, 2025, and the NFL world wakes up to the news that Christian Watson—fresh off a season-ending torn ACL suffered in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears on January 6, 2025—has signed a new extension with the Packer Given the severity of his injury and his uncertain status for the 2025 season, some might call it a surprising move. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll see the logic behind it.
Watson’s injury came via a non-contact tear in his right ACL during that late-season tilt with the Bears, instantly ending his 2024 campaign and casting doubt on his availability for much of 2025 Coach Matt LaFleur expressed both empathy and optimism—“I hurt for him,” he said, while acknowledging how much Watson meant to their offensive flexibilitHistorically, Packers players return cautiously from ACL tears—and Watson’s high-speed, field-stretching play makes his health all the more critical
The timeline for his return was always murky. His father, Tazim Wajid Wajed, offered that timeline would be “around Week 12,” assuming a standard ACL tear and “minor cleanup”—typical rehab in modern practice GM Brian Gutekunst later echoed caution, saying Watson would likely miss “some time” in 2025 Reports throughout training camp indicated Watson was progressing ahead of schedule and remaining a buoyant presence among teammates
Through 2022–2024, Watson logged 98 receptions, 1,653 yards, and 14 touchdowns across 38 games (35 starts), averaging a sizzling 16.9 yards per catch, ranking third among players with at least 75 catches over that span . In 2024 alone, despite missing two games, he totaled 29 catches for 620 yards and two scoresThat field-stretching, explosive athlete profile—when healthy—continues to be enticing to the Packers.
Here’s how the extension serves both sides: for Watson, it provides financial security amid rehab—he isn’t forced to bet on himself mid-recovery or face the risk of being underrated in free agency. For the Packers, they preserve a potential offensive weapon at cost of one year and $13.25 million—far cheaper than betting on a free agent the same way—and avoid losing him to another team via the open market
Cap-wise, it’s worth noting this move adds to the Packers’ already pressured situation. They were already stretching to extend key players like Romeo Doubs, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, and Quay Walker, in addition to managing their 2026 cap outloo. But the front office clearly defines this as a calculated risk—front-loading continuity now with an eye on competitive time, likely before a rebuild phase.
Reaction from rival markets, especially in Detroit, drew notable heat. Some referred to it as “wild” that Watson would be “rewarded for being injured,” pointing to the precarious nature of paying top-dollar to a player who has struggled with durability (The Times of India). Indeed, Watson’s injury history includes not just the ACL tear but recurring hamstring issues dating back to the start of his career (NFL Spy, Reddit).
Packers fans, meanwhile, responded with mixed emotions. Many expressed sadness and frustration over yet another injury hold-up for Watson at a time when he seemed to be hitting his stride. Comments like “Just awful injury luck for him. Really sucks :/” and “He has the talent to be one of the top wrs in the league but seems unlikely to reach his full potential now” reflect a familiar mix of affection and concern (Reddit). Others pointed to the importance of his return for future plans and expressed hope he can stay healthy and reach his upside.
Locked in through the 2026 season, the deal ensures continuity for both Watson and the Packers. If Watson returns cleanly and field-ready midway through the 2025 season—say, Week 12 or slightly earlier—he provides explosive downfield threat and leverage for offensive strategy that can shift the entire passing game. If he doesn’t recover, the Packers aren’t on the hook beyond that one year. It’s a classic “win-or-no-regret” move.
Ultimately, at the heart of this extension are two key themes: potential and leverage. Watson’s physical upside is tantalizing—that ability to take the top off coverage is rare and valuable. But it’s balanced with injury uncertainty. The one-year deal puts that calculation in the short term: if he shows up healthy, he’s a steal. If not, the Packers can move on.
And from Watson’s perspective, this is about landing on his feet. Rehabbing from a torn ACL is brutal—physically and mentally. Removing the stress of contract uncertainty frees him to focus entirely on strength, healing, and return. Given he’s already expressed confidence and positivity during his rehab—“I’ll race anybody right now,” he said, adding “I’m just grateful for where I’m at”—this deal likely helps him maintain that headspace, knowing he’s supported by the organization
In the pages of NFL history, these kinds of extensions during recovery are uncommon but not unprecedented—teams sometimes lock in high-upside players rehabilitating major injuries, banking on long-term payoff rather than short-term cap cost.
So, to circle back: yes, Christian Watson has received a one-year, $13.25 million extension despite rehabbing a torn ACL early in 2025. It keeps him with the Packers through 2026, provides him stability during rehab, and gives the team upside if he returns strong. It’s a bold move, it raises eyebrows, and it speaks to how much value the Packers place on his game when he’s healthy.
Let me know if you want deeper stats breakdowns, cap numbers comparison, historical parallels, or Watson’s play style analysis going forward.
