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 early. The Eagles have led this trend for five years, and the Packers’ next priority should be Watson, who is eligible for an extension despite a recent 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 future salary‑cap jump in 2027 and from a market reset triggered by Pierce’s contract.