When Christian Watson returned to the Green Bay Packers' starting lineup four weeks ago, there was plenty of excitement to get him back. Still, with his injury history and subsequent lackluster stat sheet, expectations had to be somewhat tempered.
Thankfully, though, he's come back to the offense in full force. He received at least four targets and picked up at least 45 yards in each game since his return, and he capped his latest performance with two touchdown catches.
Considering where the team is with wide receiver talent, with injuries mounting and an offseason sure to bring some amount of change, Watson's return has come at just the right time for the Packers.
Christian Watson's momentum gives the Packers clarity in a looming WR reshuffle
Last week, I discussed the possibility of Romeo Doubs playing himself out of a potential return to Green Bay this offseason. Not because of poor production, of course, but because he might wind up being one of the best young talents available on the open market.
Watson already got his extension that keeps him in Green Bay until at least 2027. Jayden Reed will also be due for an extension next year. With Matthew Golden and Savion Williams as rookie pieces, the logistics to pay Doubs a ton of money start to lose their reason.
Of course, Watson got that extension before he returned from the ACL injury he suffered late last season, while Doubs, who was in the same rookie class, has served as the team's de facto WR1 since Reed broke his collarbone earlier this year.
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It was a bit of a gamble on Brian Gutekunst's part, but early returns are showing that it was worth it. Watson is building a pace to outperform his numbers across 15 games from last season. To be sure, the injuries across receiver and tight end play a bit of a factor, but it's no less comforting that he's taking advantage of his opportunities upon his return.
Of course, Watson has to keep it up. Doubs has been the more productive receiver of the two since they joined the team in 2022, but Watson is likely the one to stick around past this season unless Gutekunst has more tricks up his sleeve that the league doesn't see coming this offseason.
Still, if Watson does show consistency down the stretch, even and especially after Reed returns, it will make losing Doubs in the offseason an easier blow to absorb.