Jayden Reed secured a big extension. Now, what's the future for Christian Watson and the Packers' receiver room?
On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers agreed to a three-year contract extension with Jayden Reed, giving the wide receiver $50.25 million in new money with $20 million guaranteed.
The Packers lost Dontayvion Wicks in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this offseason. Romeo Doubs signed with the New England Patriots in free agency.
Signing Reed gives the Packers another long-term solution at wide receiver with Matthew Golden set to play his second season under a rookie contract in 2026.
After giving Reed a new deal, Green Bay must decide how to proceed with Christian Watson and tight end Tucker Kraft.
Kraft was a third-round pick in 2023. Watson signed a one-year contract extension in 2025, keeping him in Green Bay through the upcoming season.
During his news conference on Friday night, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst answered a question as to if the the team could give new deals to Kraft and Watson after extending Reed's contract.
Gutekunst believes the Packers can, though he wouldn't commit to keeping both.
"We let a lot of really good players walk out of here this past offseason with the thought process that there are some guys we really want to lock up," said Gutekunst, via Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.
"That'll be the intention. We'll see where it goes, but I don't foresee anything being a problem."
Gutekunst hinted that keeping Watson was a priority.
The Packers wanted to extend Reed because they believe he will help the team win games.
"Because he helps us win," Gutekunst said. "We're a better football team when he's on the field. We're excited to get that done; I don't know if we've done many of those contracts during the draft, but I'm glad we did."
Reed only appeared in seven games last season as he battled a fractured collarbone and surgeries to recover from a broken clavicle and a Jones fracture in his left foot.
Reed recorded 138 receptions for 1,857 yards and 15 touchdowns during his first three seasons in the league. With less competition in the receiver room this year, he could be asked to take on a larger role for Green Bay this fall.