The Green Bay Packers had a busy offseason in their Wide Receiver Dept, despite not drafting one at all and adding no significant personnel at the position save for signing Skyy Moore, who is really a kick-return specialist. And it’s looking more and more like their future at wide receiver is set. They’ll have four WRs locked down through at least 2028 — and beyond, in some cases.
General manager Brian Gutekunst and the rest of the braintrust had some decisions to make this offseason, and not all were easy. When the dust settled, the Packers agreed to extensions with Christian Watson and Jayden Reed while letting Romeo Doubs walk and trading away Dontayvion Wicks.
It’s hard to argue Green Bay made the wrong moves. Some will highlight Watson’s injury history and his lucrative four-year, $110 million extension. Still, it’s worth noting that the $31 million in guaranteed money is lower than that of others who received similar deals, like Alec Pierce.
Green Bay is betting on Watson staying healthy. If he does, he’s proven to be a complete difference-maker on the field. With the reliable Doubs gone, Watson figures to be the WR1 in 2026.
Having the label doesn’t guarantee more targets and more favoritism. For years now, Matt LaFleur offenses have been all about spreading the wealth. Still, Watson will wear the crown on top of the depth chart and is aware that the departures of Doubs and Wicks should lead to more opportunities.
It was definitely tough to see those guys go because they’re great friends of mine, great teammates. This thing always keeps on moving. I definitely think they’ll be a lot more opportunities for the guys who are out there this year, myself included. Just got to embrace that and continue to make plays when our numbers are called.
While Watson’s contract will keep him in Green Bay through the 2030 season, Reed’s keeps him locked in through 2029. It’s one fewer year, sure, but it assures the Packers that Reed will be under the roof for at least four more seasons. It was a major commitment.
Meanwhile, Golden and Savion Williams are entering Year 2. Golden is locked in on his rookie deal through the 2029 season, while Williams is set through the 2028 campaign.
There’s plenty of intrigue here. How high can Golden fly? And how much more is there to the athletic but gimmicky Williams’ game? Even if neither one lives up to their individual hype, barring something unforeseen, both will be in Green Bay for the next handful of years. And there’s plenty of reason to think they’re going to impress.
The Packers had to navigate many unknowns, but they seem to have turned a crowded, confused wide receiver room into a tight operation with plenty of continuity. After drafting all of Watson, Doubs, Reed, and Wicks in a two-year stretch, a lot of decisions had to be made simultaneously, with each one having a potential domino effect on the others.
Green Bay got out ahead of the situation before Watson and Reed hit free agency, and now the dust seems to have settled. It will be Watson, Reed, Golden and Williams in 2026 and well beyond.
As for Jordan Love? Even with Doubs and Wicks gone, he sees an array of deadly weapons.
We’ve still got a very deep receiver room. We’ve got Christian, we’ve got J. Reed, we’ve got M.G., guys who are all going to continue to keep building, keep taking those steps. Guys who have played a lot of ball with Christian and J. Reed, so we’ve still got a great room, and it’s just about getting back to work right now, building the foundation and setting ourselves up for when we get back to training camp.
