The Green Bay Packers are picking up the fifth-year option on defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt but will pass on the option for linebacker Quay Walker, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
By declining the option, Walker’s rookie contract will enter the final year in 2025. However, general manager Brian Gutekunst has said he is planning on keeping Walker in Green Bay past 2025, so a contract extension at some point this offseason could be possible, if not likely.
Advertisement
The fifth-year option would have amounted to a fully guaranteed $14.75 million in 2026. The Packers likely believe they can come to terms on an extension well below that price.
Walker was the 22nd overall pick in the 2022 draft. He became an immediate starter in Green Bay, started 43 games over the last three seasons and produced at least 100 tackles in each of his three NFL seasons. Consistency has been an issue, and the price tag on the fifth-year option for an off-ball linebacker still trying to find consistency entering Year 4 was far too expensive for the Packers to pay.
Over 43 games, Walker has 341 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 12 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and an interception.
The Packers have invested heavily at linebacker in recent years, so the team is protected at the position. Among those on the linebacker depth chart are 2024 second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper and 25-game starter Isaiah McDuffie, plus 2024 third-round pick Ty’Ron Hopper, veteran special teamer Kristian Welch and 2020 top-10 pick Isaiah Simmons, who signed recently. Priority undrafted free agent Jamon Dumas-Johnson is also expected to sign with the Packers following the 2025 draft.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers declining fifth-year option on LB Quay Walker