The Green Bay Packers are heading into a pivotal offseason, with nearly 25 players set to hit free agency and a long list of decisions looming. The new league year kicks off March 11 - with the negotiation window opening two days earlier - and the front office will have its hands full sorting through contract situations that could shape the direction of the franchise for years to come.
Among the most pressing choices? Linebacker Quay Walker. While names like wide receiver Romeo Doubs, backup quarterback Malik Willis, and offensive linemen Sean Rhyan and Rasheed Walker are certainly on the radar, Walker’s future may be the most consequential decision of them all.
The Quay Walker Conundrum
Walker, the 2022 first-round pick, just wrapped up his third NFL season - and it was a mixed bag. On the surface, the production was there.
He led the team with 128 tackles, a career high, while adding eight tackles for loss, five passes defensed, and 2.5 sacks for the third straight year. For a player making $4.4 million, that’s solid value.
But when you dig deeper, the impact plays were lacking. No interceptions.
No forced fumbles. No fumble recoveries.
And when the Packers needed him most - in their playoff loss to the Bears - he struggled. According to PFF, Walker was targeted heavily and gave up seven completions for 105 yards and a touchdown.
That’s the kind of outing that sticks in the minds of decision-makers.
His PFF grades tell a similar story. His overall grade of 48.5 ranked 74th out of 88 eligible linebackers.
His run defense (54.5) and coverage (44.9) grades were both near the bottom of the league. Even his pass-rush grade (62.0) was middle-of-the-pack.
Simply put, it wasn’t the kind of season you want in a contract year.
The Option That Wasn’t
Green Bay declined Walker’s fifth-year option last offseason - a move that raised eyebrows at the time, especially for a former first-rounder. But it’s clear now that the team wanted one more year of evaluation before committing long-term.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst has expressed interest in keeping Walker around, but the two sides haven’t come to terms yet. Negotiations have been on and off, and it’s clear that Walker won’t come cheap, even after a down year.
Had the Packers picked up his option, they’d be on the hook for $14.75 million in 2026. Now, with his market value projected closer to $9.7 million per year, there’s a window to bring him back at a lower cost - if the team still believes in his upside.
The Bigger Picture at Linebacker
That’s where things get interesting. The Packers may already have Walker’s potential replacements in-house.
Edgerrin Cooper and Isaiah McDuffie both had strong seasons, and their emergence gives Green Bay flexibility. If the front office believes either can step into a larger role - or if they see a future star in the upcoming draft - it could make Walker expendable.
This isn’t about whether Walker is a bad player. He’s a rangy, athletic linebacker who flashes potential. But in a league where impact plays matter - especially from second-level defenders - the question becomes: is he worth a multi-year investment when the production hasn’t matched the promise?
Cap Crunch and Roster Math
Walker’s situation isn’t happening in a vacuum. The Packers have other major financial decisions to make.
Elgton Jenkins, for example, carries a hefty $24.33 million cap hit in 2026, and could be a cut candidate given the relatively low $4.8 million dead cap charge. Romeo Doubs, who led the team in receptions and yards, is also up for a new deal.
Malik Willis, while just a backup, is expected to draw interest from other teams.
All of this adds up to a tight salary cap puzzle. And when the front office starts weighing needs vs. wants, Walker’s name is going to come up early and often.
What’s Next?
The Packers have a little over a month to figure it all out before free agency opens. If they believe Walker is part of the long-term core, now’s the time to strike a deal while his market value is lower than it would’ve been a year ago. If not, they’ll need to feel confident in Cooper, McDuffie, or a draft pick stepping into that role.
This is the kind of offseason decision that doesn’t just impact the linebacker room - it ripples across the entire defense. For a team with playoff aspirations and a young core, getting it right matters.
Stay tuned. The clock is ticking in Green Bay.