With the NFL’s salary cap rising by roughly $25 million per team each year, teams are scrambling to lock in key players early. The Packers’ priority should be a long‑term extension for Watson, who is eligible for a deal this offseason despite a recent one‑year extension.
Alec Pierce, ranked the sixth‑best free agent in 2026, could spark a bidding war if he leaves the Colts. Securing Watson now would protect the team from a potential market reset and give them a competitive edge before the 2027 cap jump.