BREAKING: Packers Trade Proposal Swaps Christian Watson With All-Pro Receiver
The Green Bay Packers have a wealth of young talent at wide receiver, but a recent trade proposal suggests they could make a significant upgrade by trading Christian Watson for All-Pro wideout Brandon Aiyuk.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay proposed several trade ideas for Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers, including an intriguing one involving the Packers:
Packers receive: WR Brandon Aiyuk
49ers receive: WR Christian Watson, 2025 second-round pick
Kay wrote, “Expectations for this upstart club are now elevated, making an Aiyuk trade one method for the Packers to meet these lofty projections. Flipping Watson—who possesses arguably the most upside of any receiver on this roster—and a second-round pick to the 49ers could get a deal done that will take the Packers to the next level.”
The Packers already have a number of promising young receivers. However, acquiring Aiyuk would immediately provide them with a top-tier wideout, giving quarterback Jordan Love a reliable and talented target.
Can Christian Watson Stay Healthy in 2024?
Christian Watson showed the potential to be a future star after a strong second half of his rookie season. Unfortunately, injuries are already raising concerns about his long-term prospects.
Watson underwent knee surgery as a rookie, causing him to miss most of the 2022 training camp. This delayed his development, but he eventually hit his stride in the latter part of the season, finishing with 611 yards and seven touchdowns on 41 catches.
Expectations for Watson were even higher in 2023, but persistent hamstring issues limited his availability, resulting in him playing only nine games.
These hamstring problems have been a significant concern for the Packers this offseason. To address this, the team sent Watson to Madison, Wisconsin, to consult with athletic performance specialists regarding his hamstrings.
“At this level of any sport, I think you gotta know your body,” Watson said about his offseason work in Madison. “Just to be able to learn about it and understand how everything works has helped me a lot in terms of what I’m doing. I’m not just doing it because they’re telling me. I’m doing it because I understand what it’s going to do for me.”
🚨TRADE PROPOSAL🚨
Packers send:
-2025 2nd
-Christian WatsonCowboys send:
-CeeDee LambThe Cowboys get a top tier WR on a rookie contract on top of a 2nd, and the Packers receive sufficient compensation
Who says no? pic.twitter.com/4q7mOmthpB
— Freeze (@freezesports1) June 4, 2024
If the Packers want a reliable vertical threat in 2024, Watson will need to stay healthy.
Latest on Brandon Aiyuk
The 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk are actively working on a contract extension this offseason. However, if they fail to reach an agreement, Aiyuk appears ready to seek a trade.
According to Mike Silver of The San Francisco Chronicle, the current offer for Aiyuk is around $26 million per year. While this wouldn’t make him the highest-paid receiver in the league, it would place him among the top earners.
In the meantime, Aiyuk is staying away from the team and holding out. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Aiyuk could face over $100,000 in fines if he misses the entirety of mandatory minicamp.
The ongoing holdout is increasing the pressure on the 49ers to finalize a deal. However, if they are unable to reach an agreement, Aiyuk could quickly become one of the most sought-after trade assets in the league before training camp.