While this is the slowest period in the NFL calendar, there's always something going on in the league. And, with the Chicago Bears playing in the most competitive division in all of football, no move can go under the radar.
That's why Bears fans should be ecstatic to know that the Green Bay Packers have done it again. Just like they did with Jaire Alexander years ago, they've committed a huge sum of money into a player who can't stay on the field.
However, Alexander had already established himself among the league's elite before securinng his payday. This definitely isn't the case with Christian Watson, who just got a four-year, $110.5 million contract extension that includes $31 million guaranteed.
The Bears can only laugh at the Packers' latest Christian Watson mistake
The Packers are now giving $27 million a year to a wide receiver who has never played a full season in four years in the league. He's never had more than 41 receptions, 620 yards, or 7 touchdowns in a single season, and he has zero Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections. How's that a good move?
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst overhauled the wide receiver room by cutting ties with Dontayvion Wicks and letting Romeo Doubs in free agency. That leaves the often-injured Watson and second-year WR Matthew Golden as their top two guys. They also have Tucker Kraft, who's admittedly a great player, but he's coming off an ACL injury.
Watson has had moderate success against Chicago, hauling in 19 catches for 349 yards and 5 touchdowns in 7 games. As most fans might remember, that includes a 3-12-1 line in the Wild Card loss last season.
But even if he had been a problem for the Bears, availability is the best of abilities, and Watson is seldom available. He's missed 20 regular-season games so far in four years in the league, and it should be just a matter of time before he's sidelined again.
The Bears, on the other hand, can brag about having the most stacked young pass catcher corps in the game. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III might be 1A and 1B, and Colston Loveland looked like a superstar in the making in year one.
Long gone are the days of the Bears looking up on their hated divisional rivals. The Bears are the team to beat in the NFC North until proven otherwise, and with Watson's contract hampering the Packers' books for the next four years -- or more if they cut him -- that won't change any time soon.
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