The NFL has seen $25 million per team salary‑cap increases each year, while clubs spend about 10 % over cap on player cash. Teams are now rushing to lock in key players with long‑term deals before prices climb further.
Watson, who signed a one‑year extension last season, is eligible for a multi‑year contract and is still a year away from free agency. Alec Pierce, the sixth‑best free agent in 2026, could spark a bidding war, so the Packers would benefit from securing Watson before Pierce’s market value rises.