With the NFL adding roughly $25 million to each team's salary cap annually and clubs routinely spending 10 % over cap, teams are racing to lock in talent early. The Eagles have led this trend for five years, and the Packers’ next priority should be Watson, who signed a one‑year extension but remains eligible for a long‑term deal.
Pierce, the sixth‑best free agent in 2026, could trigger a bidding war if he stays with the Colts or demand a massive offer if he re‑signs. Watson is only a year from free agency, so a 2026 extension would protect the Packers from injury risk and a future cap jump in 2027.