Packers News: Matt LaFleur Pours Cold Water on Excitement for Possible Early 2025 Return by Christian Watson 1 Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) leaves the field on a cart after getting injured against the Chicago Bears in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Packers’ Starter Could Be Shocking Roster Cut Later This Summer

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 2:02 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers have revamped the wide receiving corps over the offseason.

In addition to selecting Matthew Golden in the first round of April’s NFL Draft, and rounding back to add Savion Williams in the third round, the Packers also inked veteran Mecole Hardman as a free agent, further bolstering Jordan Love’s supporting cast, creating competition and in all likelihood adding special teams value.

Suddenly, the Packers’ crowded wide receiver room could be one of the hottest competitions for snaps and roster spots in the league.

Could the Packers Move on From Christian Watson?

Christian Watson is still recovering from a torn ACL, but not everyone believes he’s a lock to even make the Packers’ roster out of training camp.

Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante suggests Watson could be cut, or traded, at some point this summer.

“Watson doesn’t have the special-teams value that Mecole Hardman,” Infante writes of Watson . “Bo Melton, and Malik Heath all have. Both Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks have done a better job of staying healthy, and Jayden Reed and the two rookies are locks to make the team. That could leave Watson as a realistic cut candidate since he is sidelined with a torn ACL.”

Packers Urged to Trade Top WR to Boost Aaron Rodgers' Steelers Supporting Cast 1 Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) flexes as he does a “Lambeau Leap” with Packers fans after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 34-13Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Moving on from Watson would be a pretty big surprise, for the Packers, but not out of the realm of possibility.

Through his first three seasons, Watson has caught 96 passes for 1,653 yards and 14 touchdowns, and if healthy, would likely begin this season at or near the top of the depth chart. He simply isn’t healthy and doesn’t contribute much on special teams.

The Packers have established a youth movement and have certainly created competition at the position, and if Green Bay believes that the likes of Wicks, Reed, and Melton are more valuable than Watson, it could lead to some difficult conversations and decisions in the weeks ahead about the 26-year-old’s future.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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