The Green Bay Packers made key decisions on their 2022 first-round picks ahead of Thursday’s deadline for fifth-year options, exercising defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt’s option while declining the option for linebacker Quay Walker. Despite that, the team remains intent on keeping both players beyond 2025.
Wyatt, the 28th overall pick in 2022, is now under contract through the 2026 season. His fifth-year salary will be $12.938 million, which is fully guaranteed. Though not a regular starter, Wyatt has shown steady improvement and is expected to play a bigger role following T.J. Slaton’s free-agent departure. In 2023, Wyatt finished second on the team in sacks with five and recorded a career-best nine tackles for loss.
“[Wyatt] was probably our most consistent pass rusher from the inside this year,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said. “I think both [Wyatt and Walker] had their best years as pros so far.”
Walker, selected 22nd overall, has led the Packers in tackles in each of his first three seasons and crossed the 100-tackle mark each year. However, injuries limited him to 13 games in 2023. While his $14.751 million fifth-year option was declined, the Packers are aiming to negotiate a long-term deal, possibly before the new season begins.
“Quay continued to make a leap,” Gutekunst said. “Certainly think we would love to have him around here for longer than just a couple years. He’s that kind of guy.”
Earlier this offseason, Gutekunst made it clear that the team’s long-term plans include both players.
“For both those guys, whatever mechanism we use, we’d like to keep those guys around for ’26 and beyond,” he said.
Whether through an extension or future negotiations, the Packers appear committed to building around their young defensive core. Wyatt is secured, and now attention shifts to working out an agreement with Walker—one the team believes is worth the effort.
Photo: Kara Durrette/Getty Images
