Packers pick up Wyatt’s 5th-year option, decline Walker’s
Packers Commit to Wyatt, But Walker’s Future Still Up in the Air
GREEN BAY, Wis. — This offseason didn’t bring any major surprises from the Packers, but there’s still some uncertainty — and maybe a bit of calculated patience — behind the scenes. The team made a move to lock in one of their 2022 first-rounders, while taking a wait-and-see approach with the other.
They’ve picked up the fifth-year option on Devonte Wyatt, keeping the defensive tackle under contract through the 2026 season. His salary for that final year — just under $13 million — becomes fully guaranteed, which they seemed comfortable with. He was selected 28th overall, and even without a full-time starter role so far, his value seems to be tracking upward.
Quay Walker, taken six picks earlier, didn’t get the same treatment. The team passed on his fifth-year option, which would’ve cost them just under $15 million. But that doesn’t mean they’re looking to part ways — quite the opposite, actually. There’s still interest in getting an extension done, possibly before kickoff this fall.
Details of the fifth-year salaries were confirmed by NFLPA data. The official deadline for those decisions came on Thursday.
Nothing Set in Stone – Yet
Earlier this year, general manager Brian Gutekunst made it clear that neither of these decisions should be seen as final. The goal, it seems, is to keep both players on the roster well past 2025. How that happens — whether through an option, a new deal, or a longer negotiation — appears flexible.
“For both those guys, whatever mechanism we use, we’d like to keep those guys around for ’26 and beyond,” Gutekunst said last month. “So whether that’s through doing the fifth-year option on these guys or extending them one way or the other, we’re planning to do that, we’d like to do that.”
Walker’s impact was immediate. He started as a rookie and never slowed down, leading the team in tackles every season so far, finishing with over 100 each year. Last season, he did miss four games — one from a concussion and three due to an ankle injury — but his overall impact remained clear.
“Quay continued to make a leap, and another guy who had struggled through injuries at the end of the year, but he was really impactful for us this year,” Gutekunst said. “Continues to be a great leader for us. Certainly think we would love to have him around here for longer than just a couple years. He’s that kind of guy.”
Wyatt Expected to Step Into Bigger Role
Wyatt, on the other hand, hasn’t held a regular starting role yet, though that’s likely to change. With T.J. Slaton departing in free agency, there’s now room — and probably expectation — for Wyatt to do more than rotate in and out. Last year, he still managed to tally five sacks, second-highest on the team, and nine tackles for loss. He’s totaled 12 sacks in three seasons. Not eye-popping, maybe, but it’s trending in the right direction.
“[Wyatt] was probably our most consistent pass rusher from the inside this year,” Gutekunst said. “Both [Walker and Wyatt] dealt with some injuries and was really proud of how they attacked those and played through some things this year. But I think both those guys had their best years as pros so far.”
There’s a chance both players end up locked in before training camp. Or maybe only one does. Or maybe nothing gets finalized until the regular season wraps. It’s not uncommon for teams to stretch these decisions out — and it doesn’t always mean they’re hesitating. Sometimes, timing is just part of the structure. Or the risk. Or both.
