Team surprises with contract agreement for ex-first-round draft pick of Packers
Cursin' Packers' Drama:
The Green Bay Packers have shaken up the NFL scene with their offseason moves in 2025. The Pack has pulled off a coup, landing wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round of the draft, sending shockwaves throughout the league. Yet, a tough decision lingers regarding their former first-round pick, DT Devonte Wyatt.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz spilled the beans that the Packers have decided to punch the fifth-year option on Wyatt, ensuring he'll cash in a guaranteed $12.9 million during the 2026 season. Lured in with the 28th overall pick back in the 2022 draft, Wyatt sealed his spot as a solid contributor for Green Bay, tallying 12 sacks in a blink of an eye in just three NFL seasons.
What's not to love about keeping Wyatt, you may ask? He's like peanut butter to Kenny Clark's jelly, perfectly balancing Green Bay's defensive line. Plus, the team's looking thin on depth at his position, so it's a smart move to hang on to a starter like him.
Wyatt had his best season in 2023, hustling through all 17 games and piling up 36 tackles, five-and-a-half sacks, and scoring one fumble recovery. He even managed to improve his stats in the slightly abbreviated 2024 season, playing in 14 games.
Packers fans are eager to watch Wyatt grow some more in the 2025 season, with his best days likely to be yet to come.
Walker's Time Tickin'
Green Bay didn't just bag Wyatt in the 2022 draft; they also snatched linebacker Quay Walker with the 22nd pick. The suspense surrounding the fifth-year option for Walker is clinging in the air, unlike his usual thunderous tackles. The Packers have tickled our curiosity by expressing a desire to keep him in Green Bay till 2026, but they've yet to commit to picking up his fifth-year option.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst foreshadows a long and prosperous career for Walker, but is reticent about exercising the fifth-year option, which would set them back a hefty $14.8 million.
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Haftley, on the other hand, seems to be rearing up to keep Walker around for good. Haftley dropped hints at the end of the season, praising Walker, "Quay is playing his best football, I have the highest expectations for him; he's going to keep getting better"[3].
As the summer heat pours down, Packers faithful will be glued to their screens, waiting to see how this situation unfolds. Time will tell if the Packers will throw Walker a long-term contract to keep him in Green Bay beyond 2026.
Sources:
[1] Packers likely to decline Quay Walker's fifth-year option[2] Green Bay Packers reportedly exercise fifth-year option on Devonte Wyatt[3] Jeff Haftley praises Quay Walker[4] Green Bay Packers exercise fifth-year option on Wyatt[5] Quay Walker: The future of the Packers' defense?
- Regarding DT Devonte Wyatt, despite the Packers' decision to exercise the fifth-year option on his contract, the future of linebacker Quay Walker remains uncertain.
- The Packers are contemplating whether to commit to Quay Walker's fifth-year option, which would cost them a significant $14.8 million.
- Despite the financial implications, Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Haftley expressed interest in keeping Quay Walker, praising his improving performance.
- In contrast, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst is hesitant about exercising the fifth-year option to secure Walker's long-term future with the team.
- As the 2025 football season approaches, Packers fans await the outcome of the Walker situation, hoping for a mutually beneficial agreement between the player and the team.
