Did you think things would calm down after the draft for Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst?
Gutekunst and the rest of the decision makers for Green Bay still have plenty of things to figure out. This week it was whether or not to pick up the fifth-year option on defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt and linebacker Quay Walker. The Packers passed on picking up the option for Walker per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, but, it makes more sense than you think.
The Packers opted to pick up the option for Wyatt. The former Georgia Bulldog has some stability knowing he’s under contract with the team for two more years.
As of now, that isn’t the case for Walker, but it could change within the next couple of months. Gutekunst has been adamant all offseason that the Packers want to keep Wyatt and Walker around for the long haul. Green Bay essentially extended the clock on getting an extension done with Wyatt.
So why didn’t the Packers do the same with Walker? Financial ramifications.
Picking up Walker’s option would’ve meant Green Bay forking over a little less than $15 million, fully guaranteed. That’s the going rate for the option for linebackers in Walker’s shoes. Wyatt will be getting a tick less than $13 million with his option, which in Green Bay’s eyes was more feasible.
That’s not a knock on Walker. It more speaks to the price tag attached to the linebacker spot, because it includes edge rushers, being a little too rich for the Packers’ blood.
Per Gutekunst, speaking at the NFL combine.
The linebacker fifth-year option is a little wonky because there’s so many edge guys that are part of that, which drives up that number, which probably isn’t great. But yeah, we’d like to find a way to keep Quay around here long-term, whether that be an extension or something.
Walker has been a good inside linebacker for the Packers, and there’s not a soul who would argue 2024 wasn’t his best season as a pro. Giving him edge rusher money though, even for one year, wouldn’t be a financially responsible decision on Green Bay’s end.
Walker has started 43 of the 44 games he’s played in since the Packers drafted him in the first round back in 2022.
Getting things to slow down for him as a play progresses had been a weak point for Walker; he played better when he was just cut loose. However, in 2024 that started to shift under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Walker had turned a corner.
An ankle injury in Week 15 caused him to miss the remaining three games and stole a lot of the thunder he had been delivering. Still, the sample size of the 2024 season illuminated that Green Bay should prioritize keeping Walker in the fold for the years to come.
Take it from Gutekunst, who said after the season:
Quay continued to take a big leap, another guy that struggled with injuries at the end of the season, but he really was impactful for us this year, continues to be a great leader for us. Certainly think we would love to have him around here for longer than just a couple more years. He’s that kind of guy.
Those aren’t words from a general manager that is riding the fence on what to do. Gutey is speaking with conviction about what he plans on doing with a player to keep them around for the next few years. Walker earned that with his play in 2024 and his ability to adjust to Hafley’s scheme as the mic.
For those still doubting Green Bay’s intentions, look around at what they have — or haven’t — done at inside linebacker this offseason.
If this was a team ready to move on from Walker or not yet convinced to give him an extension, the Packers would’ve done more than signing veteran Isaiah Simmons to a one-year deal, bringing back Isaiah McDuffie on a short deal, and waiting until the fifth round of the draft to take an edge/inside linebacker hybrid in Collin Oliver.
The plan seems simple: Get an extension done with Quay Walker and have he and 2024 second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper form a ferocious duo at inside linebacker.
So, when could a deal get done?
Green Bay can hold off on a Wyatt extension if they so choose to because they exercised his option. If we’re truly prioritizing things, Walker probably falls around third in line at the present time.
The Packers need to figure out what the hell they’re doing with cornerback Jaire Alexander. Then, in terms of extension talks, it makes the most sense for them to put ink to paper with a lucrative extension for right tackle Zach Tom before shifting their focus to Walker.
It should come in time for Walker. Green Bay not exercising Walker’s option makes sense and it doesn’t mean they’re ready to part ways after 2025. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.
