With the NFL adding roughly $25 million to each team's cap annually, clubs are spending about 10 % over cap in cash for players. The trend is to lock in talent early, a strategy the Eagles have used for years.
Watson, who signed a one‑year extension last season, is eligible for a long‑term deal in 2026. Securing him now would protect the Packers from a potential bidding war if Alec Pierce, the sixth‑best free agent, signs elsewhere.