The NFL salary cap continues to go up each year, but so do player contracts. The market continues to rise, and ultimately, it’s all in proportion. Across the NFL, salary cap space is one of the most precious commodities. Without it, there’s only so much you can, and there’s only so much restructuring of contracts you can do. Each position has its value, and some are more replaceable than others. What’s clear, though, is that it takes a full roster of players to truly build a winning football team. That means managing the salary cap and giving out extensions that could soon look foolish, a very important endeavor. With that being said, let’s take a look at why the Green Bay Packers signing Christian Watson to a contract extension was a huge mistake.
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Lack Of Availability
Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) catches a pass during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
One of the most important things when evaluating a player is availability. Yes, talent, production, and upside are all very important, but for them to come to fruition, you need to be on the field. And that’s been a huge problem for Watson.
Last year, Watson played just 10 games, and he also had a season of nine games (2024). Yes, he played 14 and 15 games in his other two seasons, but even in “fuller” seasons, Watson’s production hasn’t followed.
Over 10 games last season, Watson had 35 catches for 611 yards and six touchdowns. Yes, big plays are very much in order here, but it’s a little concerning that he only had 55 targets. That equates to 5.5 targets per game, and that lines up with being a complementary, deep play target.
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Too Much Money
Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Yes, when he’s targeted, good things happen, but over four seasons, he hasn’t caught more than 41 passes (in his rookie season), gained more than 620 yards, or caught more than the seven touchdowns he did as a rookie.
Is that worth a $31 million signing bonus and $110.5 million over four years?
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Yes, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks have new homes, but the Packers still have Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden, among others, on their depth chart. Watson is a talented receiver, but this is a large, and potentially salary-cap-prohibitive, commitment to a receiver that comes with more questions than answers. As he enters his fifth season, it’s a high price to pay for potential.
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