Packers Wide Receiver Quietly Leaves Stadium After Steelers Win Upon Hearing Family Emergency
PITTSBURGH, PA - October 27, 2025
The Packers locker room fell unusually silent after their victory over the Steelers on Sunday night, but one player’s sudden departure caught everyone off guard. As reporters began entering the tunnel, a member of the offense slipped out quietly, avoiding the usual post-game handshakes and media questions.
According to several teammates, the player left the field immediately after the final whistle — no celebration, no exchange of words. Moments later, staff members were informed he had received distressing news involving a close family member and was rushing to a nearby hospital.
“I just saw him grab his bag and go,” one Packers player shared. “Someone asked where he was headed, and he just said something about his brother being in the hospital. You could tell it was serious — he didn’t say another word.”
That player was Christian Watson, a young wide receiver who has been earning praise this season for his explosive plays and composure on and off the field. Team sources confirmed that Watson left Acrisure Stadium immediately upon learning that his younger brother had been hospitalized in an undisclosed condition.
As of tonight, the team had not provided further details on his brother’s status, asking for privacy during what they described as “a deeply personal situation.” Coaches and teammates expressed full support, emphasizing the family-first culture that has defined Green Bay’s locker room under Matt LaFleur.
“We’re all praying for him and his family,” the same teammate added. “Football can wait. When something like that happens, you realize what really matters.”
The Packers have not announced whether Watson will travel with the team next week, but those close to him say his focus is exactly where it should be — with family.
Packers Kicker Brandon McManus Requests a Trade After Heavy Criticism and Taking Full Responsibility
GREEN BAY — In a development following “Sunday Night Football” in Pittsburgh, kicker Brandon McManus has submitted a trade request to the Green Bay Packers’ front office. The decision comes amid intense criticism over recent misses and mounting mental pressure.
According to sources, McManus has worked with his agent to pursue an exit that respects team procedures, stressing he “doesn’t want to be a mental hurdle” for the locker room. The Packers are said to be maintaining open communication and evaluating all team-first scenarios.
The backlash traces to the Pittsburgh game, where McManus missed two first-half field goals—most notably a 44-yard attempt at the horn that squandered Jordan Love’s two-minute drill. Social media immediately erupted with calls to give Lucas Havrisik a shot.
Operationally, the coaching staff is reviewing the full snap–hold–protection sequence to find root causes rather than placing total blame on the kicker. Even so, McManus proactively “owned” the mistakes, which he believes is necessary for the team to move forward.
In the short term, the Packers are likely to set up competition at kicker and tweak fourth-down decision-making relative to long field goals. The personnel department has also contacted several tryout options in case trade talks drag on.
Long term, if no suitable partner emerges, a mutual parting or retaining McManus in an internal competition remains on the table. Whatever the outcome, the Packers insist their top priorities are “scoreboard stability” and “trust in the locker room.”
