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Christian Watson confirms growing suspicion about his future with the Packers as contract talks quietly take shape

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Feb 10, 2026 6:40 PM ET

The year of 2025 started on a tough note for Christian Watson, with a torn ACL on Jan. 5 during a Week 18 game against the Chicago Bears. But after an offseason of work and recovery, the wide receiver returned to the field and played at the best level of his career for the Green Bay Packers.

In September, Watson signed a short-term extension to have one fewer concern during his return, but now a new long-term deal is part of the plan. During Super Bowl week, Watson confirmed that he wants to be in Green Bay for a long time.

"Definitely," Watson said. "I know that my goal is to be with Green Bay long-term. That’s where I want to be. That’s where I want to be for quite some time. Ideally, I’d like to get something done that’ll keep me there long-term. I’ve got a few people in my circle who handle that side of things. I’m just going to go out there and worry about football, making sure I’m putting myself in the best position to be at my best next year. Hopefully we can figure out that end whenever it happens."

Christian Watson was absurdly good in 2025. https://t.co/Uun2wIVEPx
— Wendell Ferreira (@wendellfp) February 6, 2026

Watson knows the new WRs coach very well

The 2026 season is about to be particularly exciting for Christian Watson. Former wide receivers coach Ryan Mahaffey left to become a run game coordinator and tight ends coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, so the Packers hired Noah Pauley to replace him.

Pauley was at Penn State after a three-year stint at Iowa State. Before that, though, he was Watson's wide receivers coach at North Dakota State.

"I’m super excited," Watson mentioned about Pauley. "He was a great coach for me. He was probably one of my favorite coaches I’ve had in my coaching career, if not the favorite. So I’m excited to have him. I think he’ll bring a different dynamic to the offense, a different mindset. I know he’s going to be dialed in. He’s going to get us right at receiver, get us going. And I think we’ll have a special group next year."

Watson had a strong individual performance. Even playing only ten games, he finished the season with 611 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Collectively, though, the receiver knows the team could have done more hadn't injuries affected the roster so much down the stretch.

"There was definitely a lot left on the bone," Watson admitted. "Everybody in the locker room felt that. It was really disappointing for us when we got to the end of the season and it ended the way it did. It definitely gives us a lot of optimism going forward. We know what we’re capable of. We just have to find a way to close those games out. Everyone will have that chip on their shoulder going into next year. Obviously, we’ll get some new pieces as well. We know what the end goal is for our team, and we know that we’ve got the guys to do it. We just have to go in with the right mindset next year and get it done."

Technically, Christian Watson enters a contract year and is slated to make $5.75 million. More likely, though, the receiver will get a well-deserved raise to be around Green Bay for years to come.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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