With the NFL salary cap rising by roughly $25 million per team each year and teams routinely spending 10 % over the cap, clubs are racing to lock in talent early. The Philadelphia Eagles have led the way, but the Packers now face a similar urgency.
Christian Watson, who signed a one‑year extension last season, is eligible for a long‑term deal before the 2026 free‑agent market heats up. Alec Pierce, the sixth‑best free agent in 2026, could spark a bidding war if he signs elsewhere, driving up prices. Securing Watson now would protect the Packers from a future cap jump in 2027 and from a market reset triggered by Pierce.