General manager Brian Gutekunst has already had to navigate some tough decisions this offseason. One still exists with cornerback Jaire Alexander.
On Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers reportedly exercised defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt‘s fifth-year option. This move was obvious for the present and the future.
Gutekunst didn’t beat around the bush when it came to Wyatt this offseason. Gutekunst was straightforward when a reporter asked about Wyatt and Quay Walker‘s contract situation immediately before the draft.
For both those guys, whatever mechanism we use, we’d like to keep those guys around for ’26 and beyond. So, whether that’s doing the fifth-year option or extending them, one way or another, we’re planning on doing that, we’d like to do that.
It echoed similar thoughts Gutekunst expressed in January.
We’re super-fired-up about both those guys seasons this year. Quay continued to make a leap, and another guy who had struggled through injuries at the end of the year, but he was really impactful for us this year. … And D-Wy was probably our most consistent pass rusher from the inside this year. … I think both those guys had their best years as pros so far.
Wyatt was super productive early on in 2024. He tallied three sacks and six tackles for loss in the first four games before an ankle injury landed him on the inactive list for three weeks. Wyatt never fully regained the momentum he started the season with, but he stepped up in big spots.
Bringing him back for a fifth year made all the sense in the world. The price tag won’t be cheap. Wyatt will be on the books for $12.9 million in 2026. While hashing out a full-on contract extension was one avenue to explore, there are bigger fish to fry this offseason.
Green Bay still has a decision to make on Rasheed Walker. Right tackle Zach Tom is also due a massive payday, and it will take some negotiating on both sides to reach a deal. Keeping Tom long-term should be a top priority as Green Bay shifts its focus after the draft.
Wyatt is an important piece of the puzzle. T.J. Slaton‘s departure in free agency only enhanced their reliance on him. The big question with Wyatt remains finding consistent production, something he was on pace to do before the ankle injury.
Settling with the fifth-year option is an excellent compromise for now.
If Wyatt produces the way Gutekunst believes he’s on a trajectory to do, it’s a win-win. The Packers get the player they’ve been hoping to see unleashed, and Wyatt will earn a hefty payday after the 2026 campaign or even before that.
Wyatt is among a group up front that needs to post better results as a unit, especially when pressuring the quarterback. There was so much good in Jeff Hafley’s first year as defensive coordinator in Green Bay. Still, one of the glaring issues was the inability to hit home on the opposing quarterback or even provide enough pressure to make them uncomfortable.
In the first four weeks, Wyatt was a one-man wrecking crew. However, others like Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, and Lukas Van Ness couldn’t ever really get going.
There’s a belief that a second year in Hafley’s scheme, coupled with hiring DeMarcus Covington as the new defensive line coach, will help with that issue.
What Wyatt showed in the first month of the season provided plenty of optimism that he can help the Packers thrive up front next year and beyond.
Not having the pressure of playing in a true prove-it year on an expiring contract should help ease any anxiety Wyatt may experience. Contractually, he’s back on stable ground for two more years with more stability.
Green Bay’s loss of Slaton and only using a sixth-round selection on a defensive tackle showed faith in Wyatt’s ability. That backed up everything Gutekunst said this offseason about wanting to keep Walker and Wyatt with the Packers through 2026 and beyond.
The Packers used the meat-and-potatoes portion of the draft to address the looming question at wide receiver and to beef up the offensive line. One unresolved question is how they plan to get home more frequently to the quarterback with the same main contributors in 2025. For that, the Packers rely on a coaching shuffle, players being comfortable in Year 2 of Hafley’s scheme, and Wyatt’s continued health.
