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By Jordan Sigler
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The Green Bay Packers appeared ready to contend for a Super Bowl appearance before star pass-rusher Micah Parsons tore his ACL in a Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos.
The Packers entered Week 15 with a 9-3-1 record, but would not win another game with Parsons on season-ending injured reserve. Green Bay entered the offseason on a five-game losing streak after being outscored 25-6 in the fourth quarter of a 31-27 defeat at the hands of its biggest rival, the Chicago Bears, during the Wild-Card Round.
It was a devastating way for the Packers to go out, and wide receiver Christian Watson told NFL Media's "The Insiders" that the team is using the collapse as motivation for the upcoming season.
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"It's definitely fueling us, 100 percent," Watson said. "Obviously, we'd like to move on from those things, but it's hard to move on from the reason behind losing those games."
Watson missed the beginning of the 2025 campaign while recovering from an ACL injury from the previous season. He went on to record 35 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns during his 10 starts. In June, Watson signed a four-year deal with the Packers worth $110.5 million.
The Packers will count on Watson to remain healthy in 2026 after the team traded Dontayvion Wicks and lost Romeo Doubs in free agency.
Watson's goal, and the Packers' goal, is to learn to finish in critical moments.
"I think it really comes down to just not being able to finish in crucial moments, in crucial games, just not being able to finish," Watson said. "That's been a huge staple for us in terms of our mindset throughout this offseason of just consistently finishing. Finishing everything, finishing every drill, every practice, every play.
"We've got to be able to build on that and carry that into this training camp and start the season that way so we can finish it that way. I think 'finish' is a big emphasis for us this year."
With Parsons expected to start the season on the PUP list, the Packers will have to learn how to begin the campaign without their best player. Watson and the offense will play a critical role in getting Green Bay points until the star pass-rusher returns.
For more on the Packers and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
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