Ahead of their Wild Card matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Green Bay Packers face some question marks around whether Packers wide receiver Christian Watson will be part of their long-term plans. In reinjuring yet another area of his right leg against New Orleans and suffering a torn ACL against the Chicago Bears, should there be concern about Watson’s future in Green Bay?
Is It Time For The Packers To Move On From Christian Watson?
Injury History for Packers Wide Receiver
Since arriving in Titletown in April of 2022, the second-round wide receiver has suffered a total of nine injuries to his right leg, including three hamstring and five knee ailments over the course of two and a half years.
It has become a regular occurrence for the fourth-year receiver to miss time. Although cliche, availability is the best ability when it comes to fielding a receiving unit that can give Green Bay an advantage in the passing game. If Watson is unable to prove he can stay healthy for a full season, it might be time for Watson to move on to new pastures.
Watson is lucky to have returned from many of his leg injuries fairly quickly. The issue relies in the frequency of these injuries occurring and addressing the issue of injury prevention after recovery.
Packers Wide Receiver Room Is Packed
There is no doubt that Watson provides a unique skill set to the Packers offense that the rest of the receiving room does not offer. He is an extremely viable deep threat as a sizable and speedy athlete and opens up the offense for the big play downfield. With just 29 catches on the year, Watson compiled 620 receiving yards for an average of 21.4 yards per catch. He had just as many 40+ yard catches as Jayden Reed and had more receiving yards than Romeo Doubs on 16 fewer catches.
The problem just lies in whether he is able to produce these numbers consistently and remain on the football field while simultaneously making the impact he was drafted for. That is going to become increasingly difficult to do as the Packers wide receiver room continues to build on their skills and Watson continues to experience setbacks.
Reed will most likely improve on the stellar year he had. Doubs has been a reliable target of Love. Although Dontayvion Wicks has seen his fair share of troubles, his athleticism, and ability to stay healthy and available speaks volume for a return to Green Bay.
Systematic Changes in Packers Offense
Not only is Watson suffering from injuries and an advancing receiving corps, but a shift from prioritizing the pass to the run offensively bogs down his value on the Packers. Josh Jacobs has most certainly been the focal point of the offense this year and it seems it will be that way for years to come.
Since the departure of Aaron Rodgers in 2022, head coach Matt LaFleur has leaned on the run to kickstart the offense. In seeing success with that strategy this season, there is no reason for a return to a pass-heavy offense unless running back talent drops or wide receiver talent surges.
Should The Packers Wide Receiver Move On?
In the grand scheme of things, Watson has not exactly been what Green Bay hoped for as far as production is concerned. From a business angle, it may not be worth it to invest in a receiver who seems to be more at risk of injury than most. With the prime years of his career vanishing and solid options at wide receiver for the run-heavy Packers, a new home may be what is best for the 25-year-old in 2025.
Main Image: Mark Hoffman – USA Today Sports
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