After an excellent opening game against division rivals, the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers made a key extension signing. However, the player extended – Christian Watson – did not play a single snap in week one, as he continues his rehab from a torn ACL suffered in the 2024 regular season finale against the Chicago Bears in January.
Watson figures to be a starter when he is ready to return – a date that is expected to be sometime next month, in October. And when on the field and healthy, he is unquestionably one of the more physically gifted, athletic receivers on Green Bay’s roster.
The deal keeps Watson in Wisconsin through the 2026 season, with his extension being to the tune of one year and $13.25 million.
As a result, this – according to some publications – could mean that former 2022 fourth round pick Watson’s draft class-mate, Romeo Doubs, might be in his last season with the organization.
How Does Watson’s Signing Impact The Rest Of The Receiving Corps
At this point, the Packers have six names on their active roster at wideout, in addition to Watson – who remains on IR.
Four of them; Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams and Matthew Golden; remain under contract through at least 2026, whilst Malik Heath and Doubs are on expiring deals.
Heath will be a restricted free agent this upcoming March, meaning that the team can choose to assign him a “tender” – AKA a salary that increases as the draft compensation for another team deciding to sign him in the free agent window also increases.
Doubs, on the other hand, will be an unrestricted free agent, and as such will be free to sign with any team in the NFL, if he is not re-signed to a deal prior to mid-March, 2026.
Will The Packers Manage To Re-Sign Romeo Doubs
It is unclear at this point what the future holds for Doubs, even after a couple of big plays in week one that resulted in him attaining 68 receiving yards.
Forbes, however believes that in all likelihood, the writing is on the wall for Doubs’ stint with the Packers.
“By signing Watson through the 2026 campaign, though, Green Bay will most likely be waving goodbye to Doubs.” Rob Reischel of Forbes wrote on Wednesdsay.
Reischel framed the move to sign Watson as a choice made to bring back either him or Doubs. Particularly in light of the 4 year, $188 million deal that the franchise gave to Micah Parsons two weeks ago in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys.
“The first tough decision was Watson or Doubs â and Green Bay went with Watson, who is expected to return later this season after tearing an ACL in Week 18, 2024…While the Packers still have six months to officially make a decision on Doubs, they canât pay everybody. And it seems like a virtual certainty Doubs will be in a different uniform in 2026.”
Even if Doubs has a career year with Green Bay, amidst all the talent at the position, Reischel believes that will simply lead to him getting a bigger contract elsewhere.
“If Doubs has a big 2025 campaign, heâll earn a hefty payday somewhere else. If his numbers are pedestrian, the Packers would have little interest in bringing him back.”
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