Latest NFL contract news puts the Packers in a difficult position with two key negotiations that are coming
As soon as the 2024 regular season ended, the 2022 draft class became eligible for contract extensions. For the Green Bay Packers, it meant that their two most experienced wide receivers, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, can already negotiate new deals. The 2022 class has several receivers in position to get big extensions. Drake London, […]
As soon as the 2024 regular season ended, the 2022 draft class became eligible for contract extensions. For the Green Bay Packers, it meant that their two most experienced wide receivers, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, can already negotiate new deals.
The 2022 class has several receivers in position to get big extensions. Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jameson Williams, George Pickens. And the first one to get an extension done was Khalil Shakir, who got a four-year, $60.2 million extension with the Buffalo Bills.
Comparing stats, Shakir was less productive than Watson and Doubs over the first three years of their careers. Even though the Bills will treat Shakir as a primary weapon moving forward after he had 821 receiving yards in 2024, the Packers' receivers and their agents will use Shakir's contract as a baseline.
So it will be hard for the Packers to sign a deal with any of them for much less than $15 million per year.
Career yards:
- Romeo Doubs: 1,700
- Christian Watson 1,653
- Khalil Shakir: 1,593
Career TDs:
- Romeo Doubs: 15
- Christian Watson: 14
- Khalil Shakir: 7
2024 yards:
- Khalil Shakir: 821
- Christian Watson: 620
- Romeo Doubs: 601
2024 TDs:
- Romeo Doubs: 4
- Khalil Shakir: 4
- Christian Watson: 2
Likely outcome
At this point, the Packers are not forced to extend their wide receivers, especially because they have other young pieces in that room. Jayden Reed is the most productive and will be eligible for an extension next offseason, so there's little reason to rush another deal now.
Watson is basically out of the equation at this point because of his ACL injury. It's important to have him back on the field in 2025 before figuring out how much he will make.
Doubs is simpler to define, because he's been more stable throughout his career. However, there isn't a need to sign him now. If the Packers want to keep him, they can still reach an extension later.
Right now, the extensions of tackles Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker seem much more relevant. And Shakir's extension makes that fact even more clear for the Packers.
Eleven Packers players eligible for contract extensions as offseason decisions loom
Some of them have a real shot to get a new deal
