Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
London date coming May 4, full schedule May 12
Green Bay — Green Bay fans will learn on May 4 when the Packers will play their first international game.
The NFL said last Thursday it will release its 2022 schedule in pieces, leading up to a full reveal at 7 p.m. Central time on May 12. The schedule for the international games will be announced May 4.
Other schedule releases include the opponents for the first “Thursday Night Football” game, on Sept. 15, to be shown on Prime Video. That will be announced Thursday, the first day of the NFL draft.
“Select games” will be revealed the week of May 9. The NFL did not say which games those would be, but they'll certainly be marquee matchups and perhaps holiday games, all of which are meant to whet appetites for the rest of the release May 12.
Teams will announce their opponents for their first home games at 5 p.m. Central time, followed by the full schedule release at 7 p.m. on the NFL Network.
PackersNews.com will provide online coverage of the schedule as it is rolled out.
Live-streaming of the NFL Network is available across multiple devices through the NFL app or NFL.com/watch, and the NFL Network app on smartphones and tablets for subscribers of participating NFL Network providers.
ESPN will also air prime-time specials on May 12 on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
The Packers are the only NFL team that has not played a regular-season international game. That will change this year when the Packers play an as-yet unnamed opponent at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
The Packers' London opponent will be one of the nine teams on its home schedule. They include division rivals Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota, as well as Dallas, Los Angeles Rams, New England, New York Jets, New York Giants and Tennessee.
The Packers also said they completed their radio network transition from WTMJ in Milwaukee to WRNW, iHeartRadio Milwaukee's 97.3 The Game.
Other stations in the network can be found at www.packers.com/video/radio-network.
The Packers have produced game-day radio broadcasts and managed the Packers Radio Network in-house since 2018, which means there will be no changes to the broadcasts. Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren remain as game announcers, working their 24th season together.
Watkins’ deal heavy with incentives
For Sammy Watkins to resurrect his career with the Packers, the veteran receiver will first need to make their 53-man roster.
Watkins signed a one-year deal worth $1.85 million, according to a source with access to the contract. It includes a $1.12 million base salary, per-game roster bonuses totaling $330,000 ($19,411 per game), and a $50,000 workout bonus. Only the $350,000 signing bonus is guaranteed.
The Packers signed Watkins hoping he can be a veteran leader at a position thinned after trading Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders, and watching Marquez Valdes-Scantling sign as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. If Watkins becomes a staple in coach Matt LaFleur's offense, his salary could quickly escalate. His contract is worth up to $4 million based on incentives for playtime, receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Watkins will be paid a $150,000 bonus if he plays 55% of snaps, a $350,000 bonus if he plays 60% of snaps, or a $525,000 bonus if he plays 65% of snaps. The contract includes a $150,000 bonus for 50 or more catches, a $350,00 bonus for 60 or more catches, or a $525,000 bonus for 70 or more catches.
He will receive a $150,000 bonus for 550 or more yards, a $350,000 bonus for 650 or more yards, or a $525,000 bonus for 700 or more yards. He'll receive a $150,000 bonus for seven touchdowns, a $350,00 bonus for eight touchdowns or a $575,000 bonus for nine or more touchdowns.
For context, Watkins has never had 70 catches in a season. Watkins exceeded 700 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons, but not since.