The NFL’s salary‑cap landscape is shifting, with teams seeing $25 million per year increases and many spending 10 % over cap in cash. The new strategy is to lock in key players early, as the Philadelphia Eagles have done for years.
For Green Bay, Christian Watson is eligible for a long‑term extension despite a recent one‑year deal. With Alec Pierce ranked as the sixth‑best free agent in 2026, the Packers risk a bidding war if they wait. Securing Watson before Pierce signs could protect the franchise from rising costs and preserve cap flexibility.