Christian Watson suffered an ACL tear in Week 18, and as a result he was unavailable for the Packers’ wild-card game. His injury could keep Green Bay shorthanded at the receiver position into the start of next season. 
“Obviously Christian is going to miss some time, probably, at the beginning, more than likely,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said on Tuesday (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). “That’s going to create opportunities for some guys on the roster that I’m excited for. We’ll see how that shakes out.”
The receiver position was a talking point entering 2024 for the Packers as the team lacked a true No. 1 option. Watson has shown the potential to occupy that role when healthy, although he has missed time in each of his three NFL campaigns to date. Being without the former second-rounder for a period could prompt Green Bay to pursue an addition in the near future.
The likes of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Malik Heath and Dontayvion Wicks are all under contract as part of the Packers’ highly inexpensive receiver room. Green Bay will have the cap space to make a notable addition at the WR position (or others) during free agency, although Gutekunst may turn his attention to reserving funds for retaining in-house players over the coming years. Still, the veteran market could provide the opportunity for a short-term addition aimed at providing a temporary Watson replacement.
Davante Adams is expected to be released by the Jets, and a Packers reunion could be in play as a result. Adding the All-Pro would certainly mark a notable move as it pertains to the receiver depth chart and the pecking order in Green Bay’s passing attack. Failing that, a more modest addition could be on the Packers’ radar with Watson on track to miss time.
The North Dakota State product is a pending 2026 free agent, and his production will be key in determining his market value on a new Packers deal or one sending him to a new team. Watson’s 2025 debut will likely have to wait, however, something which will no doubt hurt his stock.