Although he didn’t say so implicitly, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst did not allow him to be used fifth year option 2022 first-round picks Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt this offseason.
The Packers believe Walker, 22nd overall in 2022, and Wyatt, 28th overall, will have their best seasons in 2024. Gutekunst now must decide whether by May 1 of this year exercise the fifth-year option. If used, the Packers would hand over millions in guaranteed money through 2026. If not used, Walker and Wyatt would enter contract years in 2025.
“Super was excited about both of these guys’ seasons this year,” Gutekunst said at the season-ending press conference.
Walker played in 13 games and finished first on the team in tackles with 102, his third straight season with 100 or more. He also set a career high with nine tackles for loss and added 2.5 sacks. Wyatt played in 14 games and had 32 pressures, ranking third in the Packers defense, despite playing just 247 pass-rush snaps.
“I think Quay continued to improve and (is) another player who struggled with injuries towards the end of the year, but he really made an impact for us this year. He continues to be a great leader for us,” Gutekunst said. “We would certainly like to have him here for more than just a few years. He’s that kind of guy. And D-Wy was probably our most consistent inside passer this year.”
Gutekunst said he was “really proud” of how Walker and Wyatt handled their various injuries and remained disruptive.
“I think both of these guys have had their best years as professionals so far,” Gutekunst said.
However, nowhere in Gutekunsta’s response did he mention the actual utilize of the fifth-year option. And the prices of both decisions will be high.
For Walker, the fifth-year option in 2026 will cost $16,060.00. For Wyatt, the fifth-year option in 2026 will cost $13,098,000. That’s almost $30 million in fully guaranteed salary for two players, which has legitimate question marks.
Both parties to the decision take financial risk.
The Packers wouldn’t want Walker or Wyatt to emerge as the top players at their position in 2025 and have no contracts and no cost controls until 2026. But the Packers also don’t want Walker or Wyatt to be guaranteed millions in 2026 if they aren’t sure they are long-term franchise cornerstones.
Walker was an inconsistent defender for three seasons. Wyatt was trying to get passes on occasion. Neither of them look like legitimate top players at their positions through three seasons.
Recent history shows examples of this done wrong and right.
Two years ago, the Packers took advantage of fifth-year backup Darnell Savage, who then had a disappointing final season in Green Bay before leaving in free agency. The Packers declined to option fifth-year cornerback Eric Stokes last year, which seems like a wise decision considering Stokes was a part-time starter in 2024 and was likely headed for an offseason exit.
The Packers could go a different route and decline the five-year contract option for one or both players while considering a short-term extension that would be beneficial to both sides. The team executed this strategy with point guard Jordan Love, a first-round pick in the 2020 draft.
