While sports are a business and players can be cut or traded regardless of their status, it’s refreshing to see how the Green Bay Packers have chosen to deal with their injured receiver, Christian Watson.
Earlier this week, the Packers gave Watson, who is on the PUP list while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in week 18 last season, a new one-year deal worth $13.25 million.
It’s a great gesture that reaffirms the belief the organization has in its young, injured player, and it comes at a time when loyalty in pro sports has faltered.
Just ask Micah Parsons, his new teammate, about loyalty.
“There’s kind of a timeline with these ACLs,” said Packers GM Brian Gutekunst last month. “He’s ahead of the curve, no doubt about it, but, at the same time, he’s got a long career in front of him so we’re going to make sure we don’t skip any steps along the way. More than likely he’ll start the year on PUP.”
The Packers selected Watson with the 34th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and he had a solid rookie season, catching 41 passes for 611 yards and 7 TDs.
The injury bug plagued Watson in 2023 and he only played in 9 games, catching 29 passes for 472 yards and 5 TDs. While healthy last season, he posted similar stats, grabbing 29 passes for 620 yards and only 2 TDs.
But Green Bay believes in Watson and wanted to make sure he knew that, hence the new deal despite being injured.
If he heals up, he is eligible to play in the team’s game on October 12th against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Having Watson play would be a boost for the offense that is worried about the nagging foot injury of receiver Jayden Reed.
