The NFL has seen $25 million per‑team salary‑cap increases and teams are spending about 10 % over cap on player cash, pushing clubs to lock in talent early. The Philadelphia Eagles lead this trend, signing long‑term deals for players before market prices rise.
For Green Bay, securing Christian Watson before Alec Pierce, the sixth‑best free agent in 2026, is a priority. Watson’s one‑year extension leaves him eligible for a long‑term deal, and the Packers want to avoid a bidding war and a cap jump in 2027.