The Green Bay Packers’ offense was firing on all cylinders during the latter half of the 2023 season. Love completed 70.3% of his passes for 2,150 yards during the final eight games of the regular season. In that span, he threw 18 touchdowns and just one interception. He also had a quarterback rating of 112.7 during that time period, which was second in the league.
While the Packers’ offense was ‘scary’ good during that stretch, the truly ‘scary’ thing is that Christian Watson wasn’t even playing. Watson missed the final five games of the regular season and was essentially a decoy in the playoffs.
Getting him back on the field could take this offense to a completely different level. Now there’s news that it may be happening.
The Green Bay Packers Have Huge News Regarding Wide Receiver Christian Watson
As reported by Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com:
Watson has focused on evening the strength in his legs this offseason because he believes it’s essential to doing what’s eluded him so far in his career, staying healthy and on the field.
At his best, Watson has the talent to be the top receiver at a loaded position in the Packers offense. He scored eight touchdowns in four games as a rookie. Expectations couldn’t have been higher for his sophomore encore in 2023.
Watson suggested he’s returned from injury prematurely in the past, increasing the risk of re-injury. But he’s focused on strength distribution, hoping to avoid injuries. Watson hasn’t changed which lifts he does in the weight room, but his routine is different. He’s added single-leg lifts for his right leg, something he hadn’t done in the past.
His hope is the added focus on his right leg will allow it to catch up with his left.
“It’s just some of the training methods,” coach Matt LaFleur said, “and then him making sure that he’s doing all the little things when he’s away from here. I think he’s embraced that, and he’s been very disciplined in his approach. He is in a really good place right now.”
LaFleur stopped short of saying Watson’s trip to Madison this offseason solved how to keep Watson healthy. He knows the true test will come in camp and, especially, when the games start. The Packers are determined to keep their top receiver on the field. They sent their medical staff with Watson to Madison, ensuring everyone communicates on the same page.
Watson said the information he gained has helped him be more aware of how to condition his body.
Watson May Have Figured Out His Hamstring Issues Permanently
Watson (and CB Eric Stokes) went above and beyond to address their hamstring issues this off-season. So far, it looks like it has paid off. Watson looks electric early in OTAs (as he always has) and the front office seems optimistic.
Watson hasn’t underperformed at all during his short career. In 23 games, he’s scored 14 touchdowns. That’s more than any six receivers picked before him in the 2022 draft. However, the kicker is that he’s ONLY played in 23 games. 23 games out of 36 possible. Watson has missed 13 games due to injuries in his career. Over the course of his two-year career, Christian Watson has missed almost an entire season.
We have seen his ability to take over games and even portions of a season. His ability coupled with the young stars around him, this offense has the potential to be one of the best in the league in 2024.
