NFL Insider Explains Why Packers Declined Fifth-Year Option On Former First-Rounder

The Green Bay Packers had until May 1st to decide whether to pick up Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker's fifth-year options. Both have played significant snaps since being drafted in 2022, and General Manager Brian Gutekunst has expressed a desire to retain both players long-term.

Green Bay picked up Devonte Wyatt’s fifth-year option, guaranteeing him $12.9M for the 2026 season, an understandable move as 27 interior defensive linemen earn more annually, per Over the Cap. However, Green Bay did not pick up Quay Walker’s fifth-year option, which would have cost $14.7M, and only six off-ball linebackers make more than that annually. In 2024, Walker ranked 44th in stops, 16th in pressures, 19th in tackle percentage, 24th in passer rating allowed, and 70th in PFF grade. While he is a viable starter, his production did not justify the option.

There is one reason why Green Bay declined Quay Walker’s fifth-year option, as explained by ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. 

"The fifth-year option on Walker would have been $14.751 million. Instead, the Packers hope to sign him to an extension perhaps even before the start of this coming season," Demovsky said. 

Walker led the Packers in tackles in his first three seasons, surpassing 100 in each campaign. He was playing his best football late in the 2024 season before an ankle injury against the Seattle Seahawks cut his momentum short — a stretch of improvement that did not go unnoticed by Brian Gutekunst.

"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."

Green Bay could let Quay Walker play out the final year of his rookie contract and negotiate an extension before the start of the 2026 league year. However, an extension appears more likely to happen before the 2025 season.