Christian Watson has a torn ACL and more damage in his knee after suffering a severe injury during the 24-22 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Beyond missing the playoffs, Watson's 2025 season is at risk as well.
And that might create huge contract implications for Watson and the Packers.
How it works
Christian Watson has played three seasons in the NFL. On Monday, the first day after his final regular season day in year 3, he became eligible for a contract extension. With this injury, an early extension is basically out of the equation — it was already unlikely, and now it's totally unrealistic.
But there is another impact, that's much relevant for both sides. Watson suffered the injury on January 5, and ACL recoveries usually take at least 10 months, maybe more.
The wide receiver will most likely start the 2025 regular season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. And if he can't play in 2025, he will remain on the PUP list for the entire season. As 2025 is the last year of Watson's contract, the deal would toll.
The offensive weapon would have a forced one-year extension of sorts with the Packers, and he would receive the same amount of money projected to 2025 in 2026. Watson would only hit free agency in 2027.
Again, this is a scenario that only happens if Christian Watson misses the entire 2025 season, including playoffs.
The Packers can only hope that it's not the case. And Watson, too, because the financial implications would be huge.
