Latest NFL contract news gives the Packers a preview of what it might take to keep two key offensive players in Green Bay
The Baltimore Ravens have reached a new contract extension with former first-round wide receiver Rashod Bateman. He will make $36.75 million over three years, with $20 million in guarantees. It's actually the second consecutive offseason where Bateman signs an extension, after agreeing to a two-year, $12.8 million deal last year.The decision has layers, and it […]
The Baltimore Ravens have reached a new contract extension with former first-round wide receiver Rashod Bateman. He will make $36.75 million over three years, with $20 million in guarantees. It's actually the second consecutive offseason where Bateman signs an extension, after agreeing to a two-year, $12.8 million deal last year.
The decision has layers, and it gives the Green Bay Packers a general idea of what it might take to extend Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, receivers who are entering the last year of their rookie deals for the Packers.
Production
Watson and Doubs are probably slightly more productive than Bateman if you analyze their entire careers. Bateman has an extra year so far in the NFL, but he's averaged 480 yards per season. Doubs is at 566, and Watson is at 551 yards per year. And even with a fewer season, both Packers players have received more touchdown passes.
That combination of factors indicate that the new Bateman's deal will work as a baseline for Watson and Doubs. It's unimaginable that either one will accept a lower yearly average than $12.25 million.
Spotrac had projected Doubs' extension as a four-year, $47.74 million contract ($11.9 million per year). Now, that seems out of the equation. Maybe a shorter deal would make sense if the Packers intended to keep him, just like the Ravens did with Bateman, but the Packers historically prefer to sign their players to four-year deals to have more future flexibility.
Watson's situation is even more complicated. First, because he has an unrealized ceiling. Theoretically, he has a higher upside than Doubs, and his highs in the league have been much more impressive. However, injuries and inconsistency make his floor be concerning, and Doubs' volume numbers are simply better.
The second factor is that Watson is hurt. He tore his ACL back in January, which means he is expected to miss the start of the regular season. It's reasonable to expect a limited role when he returns, and it will probably affect his productivity on a contract year.
Tough decisions
The Packers drafted Matthew Golden in the first and Savion Williams in the third round this year. The roster also has Jayden Reed, who's been the Packers' most productive receiver over the past two years, and Dontayvion Wicks with deals through 2026.
It's unclear if the Packers will want to keep Watson and Doubs in the first place, and their decisions in the draft gave them more flexibility to evaluate their options before making the final call.
Receivers seem to be relatively easily replaceable in today's NFL, and neither Watson or Doubs have made much to consolidate themselves as real difference-makers. The veteran wide receiver market is a dangerous place to explore, and the Ravens paying more than $12 million a year for a player with underwhelming production is the latest example of that.
First Packers OTA nugget provides hope on Christian Watson’s injury recovery and what it means for his 2025 outlook
Watson is expected to return during the regular season
