Rasheed Walker Faces Gun Charges in New York: What It Means for His Free Agency and the Packers' Comp Pick Outlook
Green Bay Packers starting left tackle Rasheed Walker is facing legal trouble in New York after being charged with second-degree possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm. The incident stems from an attempt to fly with a pistol and 36 rounds of ammunition in a locked case - a move that, while legal in some states under the right conditions, ran afoul of New York’s strict gun laws.
According to his attorney, the firearm was registered in Wisconsin, where Walker plays professionally. The lawyer explained that Walker disclosed the weapon at the airport and believed he was following the rules by storing it in a locked case and informing airline personnel.
“He told a person from Delta he was traveling with a firearm,” the attorney said. “He mistakenly thought because he had a licensed firearm and it was in a locked box that he was able to travel with it.
We are confident the case will be dismissed.”
Walker is scheduled to appear in court on March 19 - a date that carries added weight considering the NFL’s offseason calendar. The league’s legal tampering period opens on March 9, and the new league year officially begins March 11. That’s when free agents can start signing deals, and for a player like Walker, who’s set to hit the open market in 2026 after the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, timing is everything.
Now, let’s talk implications.
Walker, a former Penn State standout, has developed into a reliable presence on the Packers’ offensive line. He’s the kind of player who could command upwards of $20 million per year on a second contract - a going rate for starting-caliber tackles in today’s market. But with this legal matter hanging over his head, teams may be hesitant to commit that kind of money until the situation is resolved.
And that hesitation could ripple beyond Walker’s own bank account.
For the Packers, this is about more than just a potential future re-signing. It’s about compensatory picks - the draft capital teams receive when they lose more qualifying free agents than they sign.
Given Green Bay’s current cap situation, they’re expected to be net losers in free agency come 2026. That sets them up to earn multiple comp picks, including what was projected to be a fourth-rounder if Walker signed a big-money deal elsewhere.
Here’s how it works: If Walker were to sign a $20 million per year deal, Green Bay would be in line for a 2026 fourth-round compensatory pick. But if the legal issue cools his market and he ends up settling for something closer to $16 million annually, that comp pick drops to the fifth round. That’s a meaningful difference - especially for a front office that’s long relied on the comp pick formula to maintain roster depth.
The Packers are already projected to receive three fifth-round picks in 2026 for potential losses of LB Quay Walker, WR Romeo Doubs, and QB Malik Willis. They’re capped at four comp picks per year, and Rasheed Walker represented their best shot at a higher-value selection. Now, everything hinges on how NFL teams evaluate the risk tied to his legal case.
While history suggests these types of airport gun charges don’t often lead to significant punishment for NFL players, perception matters - especially when teams are preparing to hand out eight-figure contracts. With free agency moving fast - most top deals are signed within the first 24 hours of the new league year - even a short delay could cost Walker millions and impact the Packers’ draft strategy in the process.
Bottom line: Rasheed Walker’s situation is one to watch. It’s a legal case, yes, but it’s also a test of timing, perception, and the business side of football.