Packers' Christian Watson agrees to
four-year, $110.5 million extension, AP source says
[June 05, 2026]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
The Green Bay Packers have continued their offseason objective of
reaching long-term deals with their top receivers by signing
Christian Watson to an extension.
The Packers announced Thursday they had signed Watson to an
extension without disclosing terms, but a person with knowledge of
the contract told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity
that the 27-year-old receiver is getting a four-year, $110.5 million
extension through 2030 with a $31 million signing bonus.
ESPN first reported the extension.
Watson becomes the second Packers receiver to get an extension this
offseason. Jayden Reed agreed in April to a three-year extension
that includes $50.25 million in new money and $20 million
guaranteed.
“Grateful is an understatement ... so blessed,” Watson said in an
Instagram story post.
Watson tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in Green Bay’s 2024
regular-season finale, but he came back last season to catch 35
passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games. He tied for the
team lead in touchdown catches and ranked second in yards receiving
despite missing much of the season.
While recovering from his torn ACL, Watson signed a one-year, $13.25
million extension last fall that enabled his contract to run through
2026. Now he has a longer-term commitment.
Watson, Doubs and 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden figure to
lead a receiving unit that lost a couple of notable performers when
Romeo Doubs signed with the New England Patriots and Dontayvion
Wicks was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson looks on during the
first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings,
Jan. 4, 2026 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
“It was definitely tough to see those guys go
because they’re great friends of mine, great teammates,” Watson said
this week. “This thing always keeps on moving. I definitely think
they’ll be a lot more opportunities for the guys who are out there
this year, myself included. Just got to embrace that and continue to
make plays when our numbers are called.”
Watson, a 2022 second-round pick from North Dakota
State, has been a quality deep threat for the Packers when
available. Injuries have limited him to 48 games over his first four
seasons.
He spoke this week about how much he should benefit from having a
full offseason in which he’s feeling healthy rather than recovering
from an injury.
“It makes a big difference between just finding a rhythm and
building that confidence with the whole offense and personally just
being able to work on my craft and get a feel for things,” Watson
said. “It’s definitely a lot smoother of an offseason for me this
year, being able to do everything.”
Watson has 133 catches for 2,264 yards — an average of 17 yards per
reception — and 20 touchdowns. He also has run for two touchdowns.
Billy Howton and James Lofton are the only other players in Packers
history to average at least 17 yards per catch while having at least
125 receptions in their first four seasons.
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