The Green Bay Packers are in the midst of overhauling their roster, notably moving on from players like defensive lineman Rashan Gary, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, and linebacker Quay Walker.
Rasheed Walker has now also exited via free agency. Given that Walker took over the role from David Bakhtiari and held onto it until the end of this past season, Packers fans expected them to receive a high compensatory draft pick following his departure. Spotrac projected that he'd receive a deal north of $20 million per year, which could've netted Green Bay a third-round compensatory pick in 2027.
But as the days passed since the opening of the legal tampering window this past Monday, those hopes began to fade. And Packers fans' fears became a reality on Friday.
According to reports, Walker agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the contract is worth up to $10 million, considerably lower than initially projected.
Packers will likely miss out on third-round compensatory pick due to Rasheed Walker's contract with Panthers
Walker hit the open market as the best left tackle available, with many expecting he would land a massive, multi-year contract. That would have been great for the Packers, as the higher the average salary another team offered him, the better the compensatory draft pick.
But a $10 million deal changes that. It won't be a third-rounder. Over The Cap projects that Green Bay will receive a 2027 sixth-round pick as a result of losing Walker in free agency.
That's not to say that the Packers won't land a solid prospect with that sixth-round selection. But the odds would be entirely greater of landing an every-game contributor or star with a third-round pick.
The Packers will potentially receive a pair of fourth-round picks for the losses of Malik Willis and Romeo Doubs, and a fifth-round pick to compensate for Quay Walker's departure. Walker's exit will likely add a sixth-rounder.
For Walker, he does enter a favorable situation in Carolina. After the Panthers made it to the playoffs, left tackle Ikem Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in their Wild Card Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Due to the timing of the injury, he could be sidelined early on in the 2026 season. With that, Walker could slot in as a starter right away while Ekwonu recovers.
Walker's time in Green Bay is officially up, and he didn't give the Packers a solid compensatory pick by agreeing to the contract the Panthers offered him.