Acme Packing Company
Green Bay has until May 1st to exercise fifth-year options on LB Quay Walker and DT Devonte Wyatt
The clock is ticking on Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst’s plan to keep linebacker Quay Walker and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt around through the 2026 season. Both are going into the final years of their rookie contracts, but the Packers have the option to hit them with the fifth-year option, as both were first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Green Bay has until May 1st, this Thursday, to pull the trigger on that action.
In his pre-draft press conference this year, Gutekunst said that the plan is to keep both Walker and Wyatt around beyond this season, be it via the fifth-year option or extensions. For reference, the one-year cost to retain Walker in 2026 is $14.8 million, while Wyatt will cost $13.9 million.
That’s around the market price for players of their caliber. Walker would make in the range of Nick Bolton or Jamien Sherwood if he were able to hit the open market. Both of those players received three-year deals worth $15 million per year this offseason. Wyatt will likely compare to Tershawn Wharton, who signed for $45.05 million ($15.01 million per year) with the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
Below, we’ll break down all of the 2022 first-round players who have had their options exercised, declined by their team or whose status is still up in the air.
