With the NFL adding roughly $25 million to each team's salary cap annually and clubs spending about 10 % over cap in cash, teams are rushing to lock in talent. The Eagles have led this trend for five years, and the Packers must follow suit by signing Watson, who is eligible for an extension after a one‑year deal.
Watson, a year away from free agency, faces the risk of injury and a potential bidding war if Alec Pierce, the sixth‑best free agent in 2026, signs elsewhere. Securing Watson now would protect the Packers from a market reset and a cap jump in 2027.