Packers receiver, new position coach worked together at North Dakota State

Wes Hodkiewicz

GREEN BAY All the attention centered onChristian Watsonas the Packers began offseason team activities in May 2022 and deservedly so.

With the Davante Adams era officially over in Green Bay, the Packers made a major move to rebuild their receiving crops when they traded up to draft the speedy North Dakota State wideout in the second round (No. 34 overall).

But that wasn't the only import from the Bison that summer. Head Coach Matt LaFleur also extended an invitation to Watson's NDSU position coach, Noah Pauley, as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.

During the internship, intended to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches, Pauley was paired with Packers receivers coach Jason Vrable. A connection was made and a prospect was identified, albeit on the sideline.

"He is super impressive. Really, really smart guy," said LaFleur of Pauley. "Has a great demeanor about himself. A worker, he'll grind."

While Watson emerged as one of the Packers' biggest playmakers, Pauley quickly climbed the coaching ranks himself. Following a successful run on Matt Campbell's staff at Iowa State, Pauley earned a trip back to Green Bay earlier this year.

Hired to lead the Packers' receiving corps, Pauley has been reunited with Vrable now serving as the team's passing game coordinator and Watson, his pupil for three years at NDSU.

Not only did Pauley and Watson grow close during their time in Fargo but so too did their families. As word spread that Pauley was coming to Green Bay, Watson's mom, Christina, was one of the first to send a congratulatory text to Pauley's wife, Hannah.

Watson was thrilled from both a personal and professional standpoint. He blossomed under Pauley's tutelage at NDSU while winning a pair of NCAA Division I FCS national titles and being named an FCS All-American as a senior in 2021.

At Iowa State, Pauley guided Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins to becoming the first duo in school history to post 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. Both Cyclones were drafted by the Houston Texans this spring Higgins in the second round and Noel in the third.

"He has a lot of openness in terms of being able to teach different guys in different ways and then modeling into exactly the kind of coach he needs to be depending on the environment he's in," Watson said. "Every time he's gone to a new place, he's fit in immediately and found ways to make the guys better that he's working with."

Watson's success hasn't come as the slightest surprise to Pauley, either. Since his arrival in Green Bay, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver has caught 133 passes for 2,264 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Watson's 17.0 yards per reception is second highest among NFL players with at least 100 catches since 2022. That production and an inspired comeback from a torn ACL that ended his 2024 season led to Watson signing a contract extension with the club in June.

The chance to reunite with Watson at this point in his career holds significant meaning for Pauley. Five years ago, the two laid the groundwork for Watson's development at NDSU. Now, they have a chance to take things to an entirely different level.

"It's been really cool (to have) the opportunity to see and coach a guy from the age of 18 to 22 years old when he's trying to just grow and mature and do those things," Pauley said.

"To have the opportunity to come back four, five years later and reunite with him and see him at a different stage of life he's married, has a kid to see his growth and where he's grown within the room, it's been really cool."

Coaching for the Packers is a big deal, too. A native of Duluth, Minn., Pauley grew up a Packers fan and still remembers the pride he felt the first time he sat next to Randall Cobb in the receiver room during his summer internship in 2022.

When LaFleur called Pauley in February to offer him a job, Pauley was transported back to watching Packers games as a child. Those emotions were fresh the first time Pauley stepped on the practice field during rookie minicamp.

"I'm living out a dream, to call it what it is," Pauley said. "Only being five hours away from family and it's been pretty special, so I've been excited for the opportunity."

A teacher at his core, Pauley has plenty of talent to mold in his room. In addition to Watson, the Packers return fourth-year wideout Jayden Reed, 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden, Savion Williams and versatile veteran Bo Melton.

Shortly after taking the job, Pauley connected with Watson over Facetime and the fifth-year wideout gave his longtime coach an overview of the group where Green Bay was strong last year and also potential areas for growth.

As Pauley begins to put his fingerprints on the position, there is no question in Watson's mind that LaFleur hired the right man for the job.

"Obviously, it's a full circle moment there," Watson said. "Even back then, I knew his favorite team was the Packers and everything, too. Even just getting drafted here, was excited and talking to him about it. Obviously to still be playing here and have him coaching, it's definitely a big deal."