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The Athletic’s projected starting left tackle Rasheed Walker for Matt Lafleur and the Green Bay Packers to be worth $82 million in 2026 NFL free agency.
One of the biggest decisions the Green Bay Packers face this offseason is what they will do with free agent left tackle Rasheed Walker. Part of why the decision is a big one is because of the split opinions on whether Walker is worth re-signing to what expects to be a major contract.
On Wednesday, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper provided an update on the left tackle’s value.
Popper projected Walker to be worth $82 million on a four-year contract this spring. On his list of the top 150 players in 2026 NFL free agency, Popper ranked Walker at No. 13.
“Walker is an athletic big man with good movement skills. He has quick lateral feet to shut down wide angles and steer rushers wide,” Popper wrote. “His active hands in pass protection make up for a less-than-ideal anchor. He relies on his upper-body strength in this phase. Walker fires off the ball in the run game and is a powerful player when he gets his momentum moving forward.
“A seventh-round pick in 2022, Walker has made 48 starts at left tackle over the past three seasons. He is the best tackle in this year’s free-agent class.”
Walker started every game but one during the 2025 season. At Pro Football Focus, he posted above average run blocking and pass protection grades during 2025.
In January, though, PFF’s Bradley Locker included Walker on his list of 2026 free agents every NFL team “can’t afford to lose.”
“The Packers’ offense has several stars, which leaves players like Walker overshadowed. But as the past two seasons demonstrate, he’s been a good pass blocker,” wrote Locker.
“Considering other injuries and questions along the team’s offensive line, the Packers should probably try to keep their left tackle.”
Why the Packers Should or Shouldn’t Re-Sign Rasheed Walker
To put it plainly, Walker is a good but not great player for the Packers. That’s the main reason why the Packers face a difficult decision with the left tackle.
It would be nice to keep him. But it might not be prudent based on his open market asking price.
Green Bay also drafted Jordan Morgan in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft to eventually start. Morgan might not be an immediate upgrade, but he potentially has more upside than Walker, who is a former seventh-rounder.
Among the 25 tackles who played 80% of their team’s offensive snaps or more in 2025, Walker finished with the No. 20 PFF grade. Walker fared significantly better in PFF’s grading system in pass protection than run blocking.
Jordan Morgan Ready to Be Packers LT?
SI on Packers’ Bill Huber didn’t agree that Walker is a “can’t afford to lose” free agent for Green Bay. Huber cited Morgan’s presence and the contract Walker is probably going to receive as his main reasons.
“Walker is likely to get a budget-busting contract … Exactly half the left tackles are earning at least $20 million per season,” wrote Huber.
“That’s a lot of money – and perhaps more than the Packers can afford given their salary cap. Besides, Morgan was drafted to be the team’s starting left tackle.
“It’s time. Ready or not.”
Whether Morgan truly will be Green Bay’s long-term solution at left tackle remains to be seen. But he is definitely the cheaper option for 2025.
That’s potentially the biggest factor in Green Bay’s decision whether or not to re-sign Walker. The Packers have limited draft capital, so they must find roster upgrades in free agency this offseason. But they have limited resources to do that based on their cap space.
That could squeeze the Packers out of Walker’s free agent market.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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