OverDrive - Watson on playing at Lambeau Field, Jordan Love's skill set, and Green Bay on the doorstep of the Super Bowl

Episode Date: February 5, 2026

Wide Receiver for the Green Bay Packers, Christian Watson shares his experience of what it’s like playing at Lambeau Field, his season following his injury, Matt LaFleur’s extension with the team, how important Jordan Love is to the club, and when he expects Green Bay to play in the Super Bowl.

With corporate traveler, you get a dedicated travel expert and 24-7 support. So business travel feels effortless. Big meetings land. Business grows. With corporate traveler, the booking is just the start. Search corporate traveler today. Christian Watson's in the back waiting for us. Let's get them out here.

The Green Bay Packers, Christian Watson. This is incredibly cool to have a current player. One of my guys are the Green Bay Packers. We're going to stand up and salute. I think we can do that because we do have mobile mics. We've never had a guest walk in, so we need to, like, shake his hand and say hello. This makes it feel, there he is. All right, let's do the handshake.

Because usually we don't do the live handshake. Good to see it. I'm good to see you. There is, Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers. Great to see you, man. How you doing? I'm doing great. I can't complain.

Yeah? Can't complain. Okay. So is this, how often do you come here? Like, you've been in the league four years now. Is this standard procedure for you, you're coming to the Super Bowl? I mean, this is my second time. The last, you know, two times I've been dealing with some engineering.

injury stuff. So that's probably the main reason. But yeah, I like to show face, you know, off the field, you know, just talk about how this season was going and, you know, just get my face out there to the world, you know. So, you know, when I get a chance to, I love to come out. But, obviously, the past two years, dealing with injuries and stuff, you know, that was the main priority, main focus. What do you think the main reason is that a lot of players are here? Like, we're former hockey players and in the Stanley Cup finals, there's no one around. They're like, I'm not going anywhere near this event because they're either pissed off that they're not in it. Like, what is the main reason that there's so many current... I know some people are advertising stuff, but what is the reason for all the players that show up here? Yeah, I mean, I would definitely say it's different from player to player. I mean, there's a lot of community events going on and stuff that, you know, we can be a part of. So, I mean, I feel like that's a big reason a lot of guys come out and then, you know, kind of just like I was saying,

it's just the opportunity to show face, you know, talk about, you know, how you thought season was going and, you know, just get a chance for the world to, you know, get a feel for how you are off the field. I mean, they see a lot of us on the field, but, you know, not necessarily a lot of us off the field. So, yeah, just get out there and get, you know, get your stuff out there. Unreal event, obviously, but another event is Lambo Field, home games. I mean, walk us through the atmosphere there and just, like, how amazing it is to go out in front of that fan base. Yeah, no, I mean, it's definitely one of a kind. I'm definitely blessed to have, you know, gotten drafted there and been a part of that.

But, I mean, it's definitely different than, you know, a lot of the other places, you know, you go to, I mean, there's a lot of, you know, obviously, you know, great stadiums to play at, you know, a lot of fun atmospheres. But, you know, Lambo is definitely one of a kind. I mean, the energy, the vibe. I feel like every game in Lambo has just turned up a little notch. I mean, you get a different side of the opponent. And then, obviously, you know, you get a different energy, you know, from the fans and everything that, you know, helps you play. a little bit better. So it's definitely one of a kind.

This man is going to take over right now. We're done talking because this is the biggest green big He's watched every second of every game and he has to get like he I'm trying to keep it cool here. This is his moment. We're going to let it over now. I was looking at you guys. I'm like, go ahead. Get in your Guitous question.

Christian Watson with us wide out for the Packers. He mentioned the injury. You had the ACL you know in January and you came back. You still played 10 games this year. I mean, take us through that process. Like you're a guy that you, can take defenses over the top, you're a burner, you have been ever since you got into the league, when you suffer an injury like that, you got to go through the rehab, and you know

you got a good team like you guys do every single year, you know, how do you motivate yourself early in the process? This time last year, you were probably still bent up, probably sitting at home. Like, how tough is it mentally to be like, I got to get back and help my team every single year? Yeah, no, I mean, it's definitely tough. I mean, just to go through an injury like that in general, I mean, obviously, it's a long, you know, recovery. So, I mean, that's, that in itself is, you know, just mentally and emotionally draining. But, I mean, for me, I mean, my main motivation was just, I mean, it was an opportunity for me to kind of just reset, you know, body-wise, you know, mentally and just, you know, come back stronger. I mean,

I definitely feel like, you know, I've played well when I've, you know, been out there. But, I mean, a big focus for me was, you know, being able to be out there as much as possible. And, you know, I think to do that, you know, it was just, you know, kind of a lesson to me. I got to be stronger. I've got to, you know, put more focus into, you know, certain things to make sure that my body can, you know, withstand everything that's going on out there. So, I mean, that was my main motivation. I had, you know, nine months essentially to, you know, just be, you know, on the grind,

you know, workout, rehab and just get my body to a point where I can go out there and, you know, play and, you know, just survive everything that, you know, I'm throwing at my body. And then obviously, yeah, and I just, just the team. I mean, I'm a competitive guy. But, you know, I also just love the sport of football for that team aspect as well. So, I mean, just, you know, thinking about the fact that, you know, my team was going to be out there, you know, without me for however long it took me to come back. I mean, that just pushed me every day to just do the best I can and try to get back as quick as possible and be back out there with those guys. Well, you know, there's been a lot of chatter about your head coach, obviously, who's being your coach throughout your whole career, Matt Lafleur.

And he just signed a new deal. So he's not going anywhere. He's going to be your coach in the future. But where do you stand on, you know, the heat he's been taken, especially in terms of, you know, those. two Bears games at the end of the year. You know, where do you stand on Matt Lafleur and what's it like playing for him? Yeah, no, I mean, honestly, it's great. You know, I've enjoyed every minute of it.

I think that he's definitely, you know, helped me become the player that I am. And I think he'll continue to help me, you know, become the player that I want to be as well. You know, honestly, I think that there was a lot of, you know, in terms of those games. I feel like there's a lot of, you know, mistakes and, you know, that led up to, you know, being able to lose. I mean, I don't think that you can just, you know, pin it on one thing. You know, I think that if you ask every guy on the team, I feel like there's, you know, something that each guy, you know, I could have done this better.

I could have made this play. So, I mean, I would never, you know, try to pin it on one person. I feel like that's just the easiest route to take when a team loses. You know, it's the coach's fault. But, I mean, for me, you know, I think that he puts us in a real good position to win football games. I think, you know, collectively as a team and, you know, consistently we have to be better at, you know, just, you know,

playing four quarters. And I think we put ourselves in a good position early in those games. We've got to continue to go. So, I mean, I don't think that's, you know, just on him as a coach. I think that's on us as a collective team. But I'm excited to see, you know, where we go this year. And, you know, obviously, I'm excited for him to have gotten that deal done. Well, I mean, you went through that ACL and Micah Parsons, obviously,

is going through that right now. And I thought that Denver game, like, that was the season in many ways, where you got injured in that game. Parsons obviously was done and done for the season. You were leading that game. Was there a point, like that was the point for me watching on the outside in, I'm like, once that happened and Parsons was done, and I wasn't sure if you were going to return, obviously you did.

But it felt like this is going to be a really uphill battle now for you guys to chase the Super Bowl. Is that a game that sticks out to you, or is there another moment over the course of the season where you're like, because you guys had Super Bowl aspirations where it felt like maybe you're not going to get all the way up that mountain? You know, I mean, I think it was a tough game for us for sure. I mean, especially, you know, going, you know, through that game and, you know, having a good lead on them and putting ourselves in a position to potentially win that one against, you know, a really good AFC team. I mean, I think that it was, you know, trending in the right direction for us in terms of, you know,

what we wanted to accomplish throughout the season. So, yeah, and I was definitely disappointing to, you know, obviously, you know, have, you know, the injuries that we had. And then obviously the outcome of that game that we had as well, it was definitely. I think it definitely left a sore spot for us as a team. But I mean, at the same time, it's just part of the game. I mean, there's going to be, you know, good players across the league that get injured. Obviously, it's unfortunate, you know, when it happens, you know, to you and your team. But, you know, I think we still had the opportunity to do what we wanted to do.

I don't think it came down to injuries in the end. I think it just came down to execution. So, I mean, that's how we look at it as a team. We talk about, you know, quarterbacks a lot on this show. And Jordan loves a guy, obviously we focus on a fair amount. Like, he seems like a guy that's got no pulse out there and just kind of very cool, calm collected. Like, what is your impression of him?

Obviously, your teammate, you're in the huddle all the time with him. How would you describe him as a leader, as a quarterback, and how much growth do you think he still has in his game? I mean, honestly, I would describe him exactly how you did. I mean, I feel like he just brings that balance to the offense. into the team. I mean, I feel like he's just an easy got to rely on and lean on when, you know, you're in, you know, the good spots and the bad spots.

I feel like he kind of, you know, just brings everybody together. I mean, I feel like he's the leader that we definitely, you know, need as a team. And, I mean, he's been, he's been playing really well. So, you know, I'm excited to see him continue to grow because, you know, I think that, I think that he still, you know, can be, you know, even better than he is as he, you know, continues to just go out there and just unleash it. But, I mean, he's done a great job for us. I can't ask for anything more.

I feel like he's put us in positions to win a lot of football games. And, you know, I don't see a lot of spots where I can, you know, blame him for anything. So, yeah, no, I mean, I love playing with him. And, you know, it's been great, you know, just growing with him. And, you know, I feel like he's made me a lot better of a player as well. The follow-up he wants to ask is, when are you guys going to lead to this game? and be playing in this game. That's what he really wants to know.

Give us the heat here. When are we getting to the Super Bowl here, the Packers? When are we visiting you and you're? Yeah, come on now. I mean, next year. Yeah. That's the goal. I mean, I don't think that, you know,

anyone on our team should come in with a mindset. You know, other than that, I feel like that's the goal. I feel like, you know, we thought we had the team to do it this year. You know, and I still think that we had the team to do it. You know, obviously, like I said, we just didn't execute the way that we needed to down the stretch. I think if we can add a few pieces to the draft and whatever the front office does with the team this off season.

I think that as it right now, I think we have everything that we need to do it. I think we just got to embrace this offseason. Make sure that we have the point of emphasis this offseason should be what we were lacking last year. And that's the consistency of the execution and just that mindset going into those games down the stretch to finish all four quarters. and I think that, you know, that will be the mindset. And I think we got exactly what we need. All right. You look at the two teams that are in it.

Obviously, you wanted to be here, but is there one that, you know, it's a small league in the National Hockey League. Everybody knows each other. Are you pulling for one side or the other? Are you got buddies on either team? I mean, I've got a few guys I know on both teams. It's hard to say, honestly, you know, I think that at the end of the day, I've just been telling people, I'm going to steer for the NFC.

What are your buddies to win? You got a favorite, though? Like, you got a picture of the game? I'm just here for the NFC. I'm going to go to the NFC, you know, let him bring it home for, you know, our conference. And, obviously, we can take it back from them next year. Exactly. Okay.

I got to ask you one more thing before we get you out of here. I know you're a style. You're a pro athlete. You're a stylish dude. What do you think of this sweater? This guy is a tie. There's a tie that comes with it. Now, you can tuck it in?

Would you wear that shirt? Would you wear a game day suit? Pretend we're in the locker. Be honest. Would you ever go near a shirt? sweater like this. A game day fit, Sunday night football. Would you be caught walking into Lambo with that? I wouldn't say that I put

necessarily the best outfits on all the time. So like I'm not like a, you know, like a fashion guru or not. I'm taking nothing but heat for wearing this last week. And I decided, I said, I'm bringing it to the Super Bowl. And I'm going to wear it. Now it's got a retractable tie, which is a little bit suspect. But I'm proud of it. And you got to be

on this one. I respect the confidence that, you know, that it took to wear that and whatnot, but I would never put something like that on. I'm not going to lie. I would never wear something like that. That's what we're looking for. These guys are now so happy. They're so happy now.

We've got so much respect for you, man. Green Bay going to the Super Bowl next year, and that shirt would never make it. It wouldn't even make it in the dressing. The guys would burn it. Guaranteed. You appreciate the honor. Great seeing.

And Christian, thanks for coming by. Thank you. There is Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers. I'm Dylan Playfair. And I'm Tyler Smith. We're putting loneliness in the penalty box. talking to some of our favorite athletes about the importance of friendship. This is Bromance.

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