Aaron Rodgers’ record-tying reference to rookie Christian Watson – Inexperienced Bay Packers Weblog

CHICAGO — It appeared just like the Christian Watson present may be nearing the top. The Green Bay Packers receiver would have a pleasant little three-game stretch by which to recollect his rookie season, however that might be about it.

Practically midway by Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Chicago Bears, Watson had carried out nothing.

That modified in Soldier Subject’s south finish zone with 17 seconds left within the first half. And once more in the identical finish zone with 1:51 left within the recreation.

Not solely did Watson’s exceptional run proceed for one more recreation, however the longer he retains this up, the extra motive Aaron Rodgers has to contemplate what may very well be if the quarterback returns to the Packers subsequent season.

Even when two extra Watson touchdowns — one receiving and one speeding — that helped the Packers (5-8) to a 28-19 win solely retains their faint playoff hopes (now at 4.8%, in accordance with ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index) alive for one more week, it helps solidify the concept whoever is quarterbacking them in 2023 and past could have a bona fide playmaker in his huddle.

“It’ll all issue into it,” Rodgers stated when requested whether or not Watson’s emergence will affect his choice. “However there’s obtained be mutual need on each side.”

9 weeks into the season, the second-round decide from North Dakota State had just one landing — a 15-yarder in opposition to the Patriots in Week 4. He couldn’t shake the drops that started with a would-be 75-yard landing within the opener on the Minnesota Vikings nor might he keep wholesome.

What started with a 58-yard landing catch in opposition to the Cowboys in Week 10 has was a four-game run with eight touchdowns.

“It’s a speedy, wild growth,” Rodgers stated. “And it’s onerous to consider one other participant who goes from being form of a here-and-there minimal manufacturing to go-to-type participant, residence run participant.

“Fairly particular.”

Watson’s eight touchdowns have come from the previous 17 instances he’s touched the ball. He matched probably the most touchdowns in a four-game span by any rookie within the final 35 seasons and have become the primary rookie receiver to do it since Randy Moss in 1998. (The opposite rookies had been working backs: Clinton Portis in 2002, Mike Anderson in 2000 and Edgerrin James in 1999)

His first one Sunday got here with the Packers trailing 16-3 late within the first half. On fourth-and-4 from the Bears’ 14-yard line, coach Matt LaFleur bypassed a area objective. With Watson within the slot proper, Rodgers stepped in that course, planted his ft, threw a strike and gave the Packers life.

The second put the sport away. Watson used jet movement to his left earlier than the snap, but many of the Bears’ defenders fell for the Packers’ motion to the suitable. Rodgers handed it off in stride to Watson, who used a Sammy Watkins block to run 46 yards untouched earlier than he dived into the top zone.

It was in the course of the 2-minute warning proper earlier than that play when Rodgers requested LaFleur whether or not they need to rating or just go all the way down to both maintain the clock working or drive the Bears to name a timeout.

“All he stated was, ‘After you rating, we’re going to do that,’” Watson stated. “So all I heard was ‘rating,’ and that’s what I did.”

Watson, who completed with three catches for 48 yards plus the 46-yard run, additionally factored on one other scoring drive. He drew a 38-yard cross interference penalty on Bears cornerback Jaylon Jones early within the fourth quarter to arrange a area objective that put the Packers forward 19-17 with 14:41 left.

If solely he had began this run a bit earlier. He wouldn’t permit himself to think about what his numbers — nonetheless strong with 25 catches for 401 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns — might have been.

His very presence as a speedy deep risk may need modified a few of these midseason losses when the offense went chilly for lengthy stretches, as a result of the Packers don’t have one other participant like him. In response to NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, Watson has the 5 quickest most speeds by a Packers offensive ball provider this season. Sunday’s landing run, when he hit 21.72 miles per hour, tops that record and was the fourth quickest by anybody within the NFL this season.

“Clearly there’s ‘what ifs’ and stuff like that, however I can’t predict any of that,” Watson stated.