Christian Watson's imminent return can make the Packers offense nearly unstoppable

Jordan Love and the passing attack were already flying, but the return of their greatest asset against man coverage means teams can't force them to play left-handed.

Christian Watson isn’t a superstar by reputation, and the Green Bay Packers play the most egalitarian passing game in the NFL. His absence hasn’t even really come up through four games in Green Bay, but his return could unleash a version of this Packers offense we haven’t seen under Matt LaFleur since Aaron Rodgers went God mode in 2020.

Toward the end of last season, defenses found success attacking the Packers with man coverage and forcing Jordan Love to throw the ball into tight windows. With Love’s injuries hindering his ability to make teams pay for man coverage with his legs, the offense struggled to find answers. When they did find them, they usually came from Watson in the form of big plays.

Against man coverage last season, Watson averaged almost 20 air yards per target according to TruMedia, by far the farthest among volume target-getters. Among players with at least as many man coverage targets, only Keon Coleman and Justin Jefferson averaged more yards per catch against man coverage than Watson.

It’s no secret why he’s been the go-to receiver for Love against teams like the Detroit Lions, who major in man coverage: his size and speed make him extremely difficult to cover 1-on-1.