The Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver group, while not brimming with an elite option, presents an intriguing combination of productivity and affordability that has positioned them as one of the more well-balanced units on the roster. As of now, the collective salary cap hit for the wide receiver group on the active 53-man roster stands at $8.13 million, making them one of the most cost-effective receiving corps in the NFL. Although they may not have the high-profile, game-changing talent that some other teams enjoy, this combination of budget-friendly production could be the ideal formula for Green Bay’s roster construction, particularly when building around younger talent.

However, the landscape of the Packers’ wide receiver room is set to change in the near future, as key players like Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, both drafted in 2022, will be extension-eligible as soon as 2025. This is a crucial point in their careers, as it marks the end of their rookie deals, and both will be eyeing contract extensions. Meanwhile, Jaden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, who are still in the early stages of their careers, have two more years of cost-effective production left before they too become eligible for extensions after next season.

Looking ahead, it’s tough to envision a scenario where the Packers can afford to keep more than two of these receivers beyond their rookie contracts, especially given the current market trends for top-tier wide receivers. The contracts for elite wideouts have skyrocketed in recent years. For instance, Justin Jefferson is making a staggering $35 million a year, with CeeDee Lamb closely following at $34 million. Ja’Marr Chase, likely to surpass Jefferson’s earnings, could soon be commanding nearly $40 million annually. Even solid second-tier receivers are earning hefty paydays, with Christian Kirk at $18 million per year, Jerry Jeudy at $17.5 million, and players like Darnell Mooney and Gabe Davis commanding $13 million annually.

This inflation in wide receiver salaries is a key consideration for the Packers’ front office as they navigate the challenging waters of player contracts. While the team has benefitted from a group of wideouts on rookie contracts, the clock is ticking on the financial sustainability of keeping these players long-term, especially when considering the significant cap space already devoted to other positions.

As of now, Jaden Reed stands out as the most likely candidate for a future contract extension. He has been the most consistent and productive pass-catcher in the group, showcasing his ability to contribute week in and week out. His development and reliability make him an appealing target for Green Bay to lock up before his price tag increases. Fortunately for the Packers, Reed still has a couple more seasons of affordable production, which gives the team a bit more breathing room in terms of roster decisions.

On the other hand, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs present more intriguing, but also more complicated, cases. Watson, the former second-round pick, has shown flashes of greatness but has struggled with consistency and injuries. His combined receiving yardage over three seasons with the Packers stands at just 1,653 yards, which is relatively modest, especially when compared to Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s first three seasons in Green Bay. For context, Valdes-Scantling had more receiving yards than Watson over the same period, and yet the Packers ultimately decided not to match the $10 million per season offer from the Kansas City Chiefs. This comparison doesn’t bode well for Watson’s future extension, as the Packers have to factor in both his production and injury history when determining his market value.

Romeo Doubs, while slightly more productive than Watson in terms of total receptions (140 vs. Watson’s 98), has accumulated just 1,642 receiving yards. Doubs has been more reliable in terms of consistency, and he has built a strong rapport with quarterback Jordan Love. However, Doubs’ skillset is arguably more replaceable compared to Watson’s dynamic playmaking ability, which might make him a less attractive option on the open market. At the same time, Doubs’ relatively unspectacular profile could actually work in the Packers’ favor, potentially lowering his market value and making a reunion more feasible.

With all these factors in play, the Packers are under no immediate pressure to make quick decisions on Watson and Doubs. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) doesn’t give the team much room for early extensions, so Green Bay is in a position to take its time. Moreover, the team has other priorities, particularly with players from the 2022 draft class. Green Bay boasts a trio of starting offensive linemen from the same draft class, including two pivotal tackles in Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom. While right guard Sean Rhyan can afford to wait, securing extensions for Walker and Tom — especially Tom — should be at the top of the Packers’ to-do list in the near future.

Given the Packers’ focus on securing their offensive line and other key positions, it makes sense to wait another year or two before making any decisions on Watson and Doubs. A fourth season would provide the team with more data on their production and development. It would also give Green Bay time to assess the state of their receiving corps and determine how integral Watson and Doubs are to the overall offensive strategy. If one of them steps up significantly in 2025 and becomes indispensable to the offense, the Packers will have no hesitation in paying what it takes to keep them around. But for now, patience is the best course of action, allowing the team to continue building a competitive roster while keeping financial flexibility intact.