The Green Bay Packers sure met Brian Gutekunst's call for more urgency.
Beyond their blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons, the Packers handed extensions to Zach Tom and Christian Watson. They might not be done, either. A new deal for Quay Walker is reportedly on the way.
According to Easton Butler of Packer Report, the Packers are "currently working" on a long-term extension with Walker and even turned down trade offers from the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints.
Packers working out a long-term extension with Quay Walker now feels inevitable
According to Butler, the Chargers offered a fourth-rounder and the Saints a fifth-rounder. Based on how Gutekunst has spoken about Walker, it's unsurprising that he would turn down trade offers to work on an extension. Gutekunst has previously made it clear he wants to negotiate a long-term deal.
"My expectations are really, really high [for Walker]," Gutekunst told Cheesehead TV in June. "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."
Since Gutekunst made those comments, the Packers voted Walker as one of their season-long captains. It's clear how valued he is not just by the GM and head coach, but also by his teammates.
While Walker has never become the Pro Bowl talent many expected when the Packers drafted him with the No. 22 pick in 2022, he is still a crucial part of Jeff Hafley's defense.
Only Edgerrin Cooper has more tackles than Walker's 17 so far this season, while his two tackles for loss tie the team lead.
The Packers have a long list of starters set to hit free agency in 2026, but they have gotten a head start on handing out long-term extensions. Green Bay worked out a multi-year deal with star right tackle Zach Tom and also gave wide receiver Christian Watson a one-year extension.
They also quietly worked out new deals with punter Daniel Whelan and long snapper Matt Orzech, providing some continuity on special teams.
Signing Walker would ensure they have another key starter under contract for multiple years.
Even if and when Walker lands an extension, the Packers will still face tough decisions on wide receiver Romeo Doubs, left tackle Rasheed Walker, and right guard Sean Rhyan.
Bringing back Quay Walker feels inevitable. It's seemingly a matter of when, not if, he lands a new multi-year deal in Green Bay.