Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker could be the best player at his position to hit free agency in 2026. Green Bay is not expected to re-sign Walker before his contract expires, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, which would make him one of the biggest prizes of the offseason.
Starting-caliber left tackles rarely make it to free agency, much less a prototypical physical talent like Walker who has already established himself in the NFL. He was originally projected to be a Day 2 pick before falling on draft weekend due to lingering injuries from college. The Packers took a change with the No. 249 pick, and a little over a year later, it paid off when David Bakhtiaari suffered a season- and ultimately, career-ending injury. Walker stepped right in and has started all but one game since. This year, his 94.3% pass block win rate ranks seventh among the league’s offensive tackles, per ESPN’s Matt Bowen, and the 25-year-old still has room to grown.
The Packers have just $10.2MM in 2026 cap space with only 41 players under contract, per OverThe Cap. They can obviously find ways to create more room, but they just paid right tackle Zach Tom this offseason and already have an expensive interior offensive line. A seventh-round pick like Walker may also want to hit his full earning potential by auctioning his services to the highest bidder.
That should set him up to eclipse Dan Moore‘s four-year, $82MM deal with the Titans, an example of how much even unheralded left tackles can make on the open market. He hit free agency last offseason and earned a contract that put him in the company of Garett Bolles, Dion Dawkins, and Ronnie Stanley, who have all received Pro Bowl and/or All-Pro recognition in their careers. Walker is thought to be better than Moore and one NFC executive expects him to get “paid paid,” per Fowler.
Packers would be wise to release Mixon, Banks and maybe Jenkins at the end of the season to possibility of Walker.
Seems like quite a bit of “dead money” if they release Jenkins and especially Banks. But there are so many ways to play the cap shell game I guess they could make it happen. I’d keep Nixon.
Jenkins is gone. I think they’ll try and make something of Banks yet but both big FA deals seem like swing and a miss rn.
Future Bear loading. Both teams tend to steal the other’s players during my lifetime lol.
Bears do not have the cap space for this move. All their money is in the interior line & linebackers LMAO. King Poles anyone? hahaha.
If you can weaken a division rival by poaching from their coaching staff or roster why not try? Someone on here implied that Howie Roseman was a “vulture” by using that approach but it paid off for the Eagles.
Walker leaving would most likely not weaken the packers. Morgan has looked good at OT when given the opportunity
This kid screams signs a huge free agent OT contract which hamstrings cap space, gets hurt almost immediately, the lingering injury saps his game and we see another big ticket OT bust.
Definitely wouldn’t surprise me with his injury history. But he’ll get a bag.
Morgan, who has not been good at OG, has played very well at OT when given the chance. He will be either LT or RT next year, with Tom switching sides. Sheedo has been solid, but he’s about to be a 3rd round comp pick for the Packers in 27.
Guy will get paid this offseason – 30mil per easily maybe more.
This is what happens when you pay a mid QB top tier money and over pay for even an elite defender.
They probably could have extended Walker this offseason at a lower rate then he’ll get now if they had funds.
First off. Love is really good. Second. GBs plan was always to move to Morgan. They’ve been trying to replace sheedo for years.
Next year move Tom over to LT and put Jordan Morgan who’s a natural tackle to the right side. Jenkins when he’s healthy back at guard and center with Rhyan
due to a substantial tackle shortage currently in the league, Walker’s free agenct contract will absolutely DEMOLISH previous precedent, and rival the earnings of quarterbacks. The total $ figure will make your heads explode. Please prepare yourselves.
Hey, Rasheed!