New details make the Packers' latest roster decision look like a smart move that could open multiple options for the team's future

Watson was slated to make $1.973 million in the final year of his rookie deal with the Packers. Therefore, he's now under contract for two years, making $12.973 million—that's why Rapoport mentioned that Watson gets nearly $13 million.

The Packers will pay a $6 million signing bonus, which is the entire guarantee of the deal. There are three void years, so the cap hits of the proration are $1.2 million per year. This year's base salary could realistically be anything between the veteran minimum ($1.1 million) and Watson's original base ($1.965 million), so the cap hit goes from $1.973 million to something between $4.1 million and $4.97 million.

In 2026, Watson will have a base salary between $5.88 million and $6.75 million (depending on what his 2025 base looks like). He will also have $1.85 million available in incentives, around $108k per game in which he's active. The exact cap number will depend on how many games Watson plays in 2025, because that will determine the likely to be earned incentive part in 2026.

Security

For Christian Watson, the deal is important because he has more certainty returning from his serious ACL injury. The wide receiver is expected to return in the middle of the season, but with a deal in place, he doesn't have to rush a comeback to put up as big of numbers as possible.

If he can't return or doesn't play well from the get go, Watson would already be under contract to recoup his value with the Packers in 2026. If he returns and plays well, the receiver will be in position to get a new extension anyway—or to hit the market in 2027 under better circumstances.

Flexibility

For the Packers, the deal gives the team a lot of flexibility. Green Bay can let Watson play out his new deal and sign elsewhere in 2027, generating a potential compensatory pick in 2028. The Packers could also extend Watson next offseason with a better understanding of his value based on what his knee looks like by the end of the season.

The last alternative created with this extension is that Watson has a tradable contract. He is slated to make something around $7 million (with incentives) in 2026, so it's realistic to expect there will be interested teams considering Watson's rare skill set. With $6.6 million in dead money, Green Bay could anticipate the draft capital compared to the compensatory pick formula.

Ultimately, it's a deal that makes sense for both sides—and the Packers found a creative way to keep an impactful offensive weapon around for longer.