The NFL Draft is in the books, but the Green Bay Packers continue to make moves, reportedly signing former first-round pick Isaiah Simmons to a one-year deal.
It's a low-risk move that adds depth to the Packers' defense. Simmons played linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals and safety for the New York Giants — it's unclear what role the Packers have in mind for the 2020 eighth-overall pick.
The big decisions don't end there.
By May 1, the Packers must decide whether to exercise the fifth-year options of Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt. It's the next significant question facing general manager Brian Gutekunst, but fortunately, it has a straightforward answer.
Packers declining the fifth-year options of Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt is an obvious decision
Thanks to the Davante Adams trade, the Packers picked twice in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, selecting the Georgia teammates. Walker and Wyatt have carved out starting roles in Green Bay's defense, but the fifth-year option decision is far easier than it seems.
Gutekunst has made it clear he plans to bring both players back, but he also said it might not come via the option. Nor should it.
Per Over The Cap's projections, picking up Walker's option would cost $14.75 million, while Wyatt's is $13.92 million. It would hit the 2026 salary cap, and fifth-year options are fully guaranteed.
Gutekunst hinted at offering both players long-term extensions rather than picking up their options, and that's smart.
It's the way to go. If the Packers view them as long-term starters, get ahead of the game with multi-year deals. That would give Green Bay the flexibility to structure the contracts and spread out the cap hits. Exercising both options would add $28.67 million to their 2026 salary cap, and it would be fully guaranteed.
The Packers didn't exercise Jordan Love's fifth-year option in 2023 but worked out a one-year extension.
Green Bay has a few days to decide, and it seems unlikely that it will pick up both options. There's a good chance the team will decline both. Don't be alarmed, though, as Gutekunst made it clear they are in the team's long-term plans.
Even if they decline both options, the Packers will likely add their names to the summer extension list — one that already features star right tackle Zach Tom.