Just ahead of the May 1 deadline for NFL teams to exercise fifth-year options on the rookie contracts of those taken in the first round of the 2022 draft, the Green Bay Packers chose to pick up that of defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, who went No. 28 overall three years ago, but declined that of linebacker Quay Walker, who went six picks earlier at No. 22.
But that certainly doesn't mean the Packers have given up on the former Georgia Bulldog. Sure, he hasn't quite lived up to his draft status just yet, but he's still put together a solid career thus far, amassing 341 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, a dozen QB hits, 6.5 sacks, 12 passes defended, three forced fumbles, and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown, by the way.
That's not a bad three-year stat line by any stretch of the imagination, which is why Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst confirmed recently that the decision not to exercise the fifth-year option was purely a business decision and that the front office is working on an extension to keep Walker in a Packers uniform in 2026 and beyond.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has high expectations for Quay Walker
During a recent interview with Cheesehead TV, Gutekunst explained his decision not to pick up Walker's option, and stated that he has high hopes for the 25-year-old moving forward.
"My expectations are really, really high [for Walker]," Gutekunst said. "The only reason we didn't do the fifth-year option is a lot of the outside linebackers are calculated into that number, so it didn't make a lot of sense. We're going down that road with him [to negotiate an extension], as well to see if we can make that happen as well."
Had the Packers exercised the option, Walker's 2026 base salary and cap number would have been $14.75 million.
At this point, one would think Green Bay is hoping to get him to sign a multi-year extension worth anywhere from $8 million to $10 million per season.
One would also assume the front office would like to finalize the deal before the 2025 season begins. Because if Walker goes out and has a Pro Bowl-caliber campaign, he'd undoubtedly test the market in free agency next spring in an effort to get as much money as possible.
On the flip side, however, Walker may want to get the deal done sooner rather than later, as there's always the risk of injury. Nobody ever wants to get hurt, of course, but an injury in a contract year can be devastating.
So, Packers fans will obviously have to wait and see how everything unfolds.
Gutekunst clearly wants Walker in Wisconsin but also had no problem saying that he'd still like to see a little more production.
"We've been bullish on Quay since he got here," Gutekunst stated. "He's played a lot of really, really good football for us and we think his best football is still in front of him. Just a consummate pro, does everything the right way. Has a level of toughness and focus that our defense needs."