Christian Watson’s Long Road Back Ends With A $110.5 Million Deal

BusinessSportsMoneyChristian Watson’s Long Road Back Ends With A $110.5 Million DealByRob Reischel,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Rob Reischel is a Wisconsin-based reporter who covers the NFL.Follow AuthorJun 04, 2026, 01:22pm EDTGreen Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) scores a touchdown against Chicago safety Kevin Byard III on Dec. 7, 2025.Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.Christian Watson played it close to the vest.The Green Bay Packers wide receiver was asked Wednesday if he was close to signing a long-term deal with the team.“Yeah, that’s the hope,” Watson said during the team’s OTAs. “I mean I kind of just put it all in my agent's hands, and, you know, when it's getting to that point down the wire he'll obviously let me in on it. But for now, I'm just worried about what I can worry about, and just let him do his job.”The job is done.Less than 24 hours later Watson signed a four-year, $110.5 million deal with the Packers that included a $31 million signing bonus.Green Bay had signed wide receiver Jayden Reed to a three-year, $50.25 million deal in April. Matthew Golden, the Packers’ 2025 first round draft pick, is entering just the second year of his rookie deal, meaning Green Bay’s top three wideouts are locked up for the foreseeable future.Watson came back from a torn ACL midway through last season — just 9 1/2 months after suffering the injury — and had arguably his finest year.Watson played the final 10 games and finished with 35 catches for 611 yards and six touchdowns. Over that stretch, Watson’s average of 17.5 yards per catch led the NFL.MORE FOR YOU“Since we’ve got Christian back, I think we’ve had more explosive plays in the pass game,” Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love said last season. “I think that’s kind of the player that Christian is. He poses some speed matchups when he gets the ball in his hand and he’s able to do some cool things.”Watso...