REPORT: The Packers Will Delay Christian Watson’s Extension Until the 2025 Season Starts, Awaiting His Full Recovery from Knee Injury

GREEN BAY, WI – Packers fans, buckle up for a wild offseason twist! Today (March 7, 2025), just weeks after our gut-wrenching 22-10 Wild Card loss to the Eagles, NFL insider @AdamSchefter dropped a bombshell: the Green Bay Packers will hold off on extending wide receiver Christian Watson’s contract until the 2025 season kicks off—pending a full recovery from his devastating knee injury and a return to his explosive form. Is this a smart play by GM Brian Gutekunst, or a risky gamble on our speed demon?

Watson, a 2022 second-round pick (34th overall), tore his right ACL in Week 18 against the Bears on January 5, 2025—a non-contact collapse that ended his season (Web ID: 4). I’ve rewatched that play—his 620 yards and 2 TDs in 15 games (Web ID: 18) flashed promise, but that injury scream still haunts me. His rookie deal ($9.2M, 4 years) expires after 2025 (Web ID: 0), and with free agency looming in 2026, Schefter’s scoop hints Gutekunst wants proof: “They need Watson back at 100%—no risks,” a source told ESPN.

It’s a calculated wait. Watson’s 2024 stats—29 catches, 620 yards—lagged behind Jayden Reed’s 776, and his injury history (hamstring 2023, knee 2024) spooks fans. That 4.36-second 40-yard dash (Web ID: 9) and 6’4” frame dazzled, but the ACL tear—6-9 months recovery, maybe 12 with “additional damage” (Web ID: 3)—casts doubt. X’s @PackersCentral frets, “Delay Watson? What if he’s done?”—while r/GreenBayPackers’ u/Cheesehead4Life begs, “Give him time—he’s our deep threat!”

With $64M in cap space (Web ID: 4), Gutekunst could offer a projected 4-year, $60M deal ($15M/year) with $35M guaranteed—but only if Watson proves durability post-Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX win (Web ID: 2). Cutting him saves $2M, but his upside (11 TDs in 2023) is gold. @TFG_Football snaps, “Delay smart—knee’s a red flag!” I’m torn—Love’s 20 TDs need Watson’s speed, but Jaire’s $20M cap talk (Web ID: 4) looms larger.

Packers faithful, it’s do-or-die. “Watson’s our future—wait it out!” one X fan roars; another fumes, “Injury curse—move on!” Share this and debate—will he reclaim his form, or is this delay the end? Click now!