Packers give Christian Watson one-year, $13.5 million extension while he recovers from torn ACL
Green Bay signs its sidelined wide receiver to a one-year deal amid rehabilitation from a season-ending knee injury
The Green Bay Packers have signed wide receiver Christian Watson to a one-year contract extension worth $13.5 million while he remains sidelined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the team announced Wednesday.
The extension covers the upcoming season and keeps Watson under contract as he continues rehabilitation from the knee injury that ended his most recent campaign. The deal was finalized even though Watson has not yet returned to play following the surgery and recovery process.
Watson, who has played for Green Bay since entering the NFL, missed the remainder of the season after suffering the torn ACL. The team’s decision to extend his contract while he is still recovering ensures he will remain part of the Packers’ receiving corps heading into the next season.
The one-year, $13.5 million extension is notable because the club moved to secure the receiver despite his current health status. Financial terms beyond the headline value and details on guarantees were not disclosed by the team at the time of the announcement.
Watson’s injury was one of several that affected Green Bay’s receiving room in recent seasons, and the extension comes as the organization looks to stabilize depth at the position. The move provides Watson with contract security during his rehabilitation and gives the Packers roster continuity at a position they have prioritized in offseason planning.
The Packers did not immediately provide a timetable for Watson’s return to full participation in practices or games. NFL teams typically work with medical staff and trainers to monitor recovery closely and update availability as players progress through rehabilitation milestones.
Watson’s season-ending injury and the subsequent extension will be factors in the Packers’ roster and salary-cap planning as they move into the offseason and prepare for training camp. The team has previously managed injured players’ returns through structured rehab programs designed to minimize reinjury and support a return to play.
The Packers are expected to provide further details on Watson’s recovery status and how the club plans to integrate him back into the offense as the new league year approaches and offseason programs begin. For now, the extension keeps Watson in Green Bay’s plans while he completes his recovery from the torn ACL.