We have plenty of information to show Watson is over-prone to injury, therefore, his value should be commensurate with that reality-similar to J. Alexander.

Watson, and the entire receiving corps, was underutilized in 2024. Love's issues probably had a lot to do with that. Watson's production cannot be maximized unless you throw him the ball.

I would keep him on a second contract if the production and availability at the end of this coming season warrants it. But if he gets injured again, or cannot produce, (assuming the ball comes his way), then I think you move on.

This really isn't that difficult of decision to make. Do you want to sign Watson to a second--and more lucrative---contract? Think of another Watson--DeShaun--to see a player whose injury bug and contract have weighed down a franchise. Christian Watson's contract wouldn't be anywhere near the Cleveland quarterback's contract but it is similar in that it's money spent for a player often injured.

The draft has enough talent that that roster spot could be easily replaced. So you get one(or two) talents at a cheap rate or you resign a guy who is very likely to be hurt again and collect money from the bench.

Not much of a decision.

Regardless of any other WR picked in this draft, I’m hoping the Packers take Donte Thornton, Tenn. as an insurance deep threat. Probably 4th round or later. Z receiver with same size and even more explosive speed than Watson. 4.30 flat 40. Only two drops and 6 TD’s last year.

If his extension is an inexpensive incentive laden contract I would sign him. Speed kills.

No, it's too risky to sign him again. We root for the guy, but it's difficult to count on him long-term given the injury history. If he's productive when he comes back, great, but move on and let another team take the chance. We should be drafting a couple of receivers anyway, and if one of them puts up promising numbers, the choice regarding Watson should be fairly easy.

"We still don’t know how many games Watson will be able to play in 2025. Often, players need additional time after they start to play to get close to where they were before the injury."

Have we seen enough to move on? I'm not so sure. Why wouldn't we just extend him for a year?

Watson seems to be falling into that group of players who "are effective when healthy". But he has shown that he is injury prone. This is not blaming; stuff happens. But when the same player is hurt more consistently than he is making impact plays, that is something to be concerned about.
A three or four year contract with an "out year" that wouldn't saddle the team with a lot of "dead money" would be ideal. Would Watson's agent accept that? If not, then it would be time to see what the rest of the league thinks of him.

All the talent doesn't overtake the need for availability, unless the situation allows for often absence. Though, if you have what can fill the absence, maybe you don't need the part-timer and the injury stress. He's already behind the 8-ball, missing half the coming season. Let the season play out, but the early lean is, let him go.

I recently read an article on how genetic factors can influence an individual's susceptibility to injury - in particular affecting the strength, elasticity, and resilience of muscles, tendons, and ligaments - potentially increasing the risk of injury. Given Watson's long history of injuries - I can only conclude that he is pre-disposed to injury - more than others. That being so - a second contract would seem imprudent. Unless, perhaps, it was financially structured to actual playing-time and on-field performances.

You are right, a big decision. But NEXT year. Gute may choose two WR's this fall with one in the lower rounds. With that and how they progress and how Watson heals, the choice may be easy. In the scheme of things, he hasn't shown he can stand the rigors of the NFL to earn a lucrative second contract. That has impacted how good he plays. I think that will be a very good chance to move on.

Packers will have a difficult decision to make...next off season.

The most important information to help decide is not yet available...how quickly does his knee heal and how does he play when back on the field? Important data!

The assumption is Watson will not be available until at least mid season. No one yet knows. I did read his Dad stating in early March his ACL tear was less severe than feared. He was already actively rehabbing it then. Watson's work ethic is stellar. Don't count him out on his goal to get back sooner than most.

And if there are set backs, it remains possible he could miss the 2025 season, in which case his K tolls to 2026. That would be another important data point.

I am concerned that because Gute traded up for Watson that realistic evaluation may be over-looked in favor of doubling down and rewarding with a second contract-Wyatt and Walker are in this category as well-particularly Walker.

This tendency is what frustrates me the most about the current Packers-they hold on to under-performers, including coaches, too long. Watson is not an under-performer but he is realistically available about 30-35% of the time-so he should be paid accordingly. I agree with another poster that a one-year, incentive-laden contract would be appropriate while they look for a sturdier version.

Watson is essentially a part-time player but the team does not have the luxury of knowing when he will be available.
(due to his frequent serious/not-so-serious) injuries.
At least in most endeavors, part-time employees are on a fixed schedule.

Change coming-

23. Emeka Egbuka. WR. OSU
54. Tyliek Williams. DT. OSU
87. Elic Ayomanor. WR. Standford
123. DeOne Walker. DT. Kentucky
159. Zak Frazier. CB UTSA
200. Caleb Ransom. DB Tulane
239, Kain Medrano. LB. Ucla
251. Jake Majors. C. Texas

This question on Watson is purely contingent on what happens next season with him:

1) If he is out for the entire year, his contract will toll and he would be obligated to continue with the Packers through the 2026 season.

2) He plays a partial season but with only marginal success and limited opportunities as he works his way back. In this case, he would be motivated to sign a 1-year prove it deal with the Pack so he has an opportunity for redemption in 2026 which sets up a big pay day in 2027.

3) He comes back at the mid point of the season and very quickly regains his production as an imposing deep threat. Even if he is able to break out for the last 4 or 5 games of the season and the playoffs, he will become very attractive to other teams and likely land a big contract, with us or elsewhere.

I sort of hope for option 1. I’d rather have a chance to get one year from him when he is fully healthy and ready to dominate verses a partial year that is unlikely to be notable.

I think they try to sign Watson to a one year prove it extension, cost depending on when he returns and how he looks, but probably somewhere in the $2.5-6 million range. .If he balks then bye bye.

As others have said, the most they should offer Watson is a short-term contract, and if he gets a better offer elsewhere, let him go. Romeo Doubs will also need a new contract, and depending on who they draft this year and how well they play, I'm kind of expecting them to let Doubs go. I wonder if he may have sealed his fate when he skipped a couple practices in the middle of last season. Of course the team knows a lot more than I do, but I would be leery of re-signing him.

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