The Green Bay Packers have a long list of starters slated to become unrestricted free agents in 2026. On offense, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs could all hit the open market. Quay Walker is the sole name on defense, and Brian Gutekunst said he wants to extend him.
Tom is the frontrunner to earn a second contract, and the Packers would be wise to extend his deal as early as this offseason. Quay Walker should be next in line. While he still has room to improve as a run-blocker, he was an efficient blindside protector for Jordan Love.
The Packers are one of only two teams with both starting offensive tackles ranked in the top 15 for pass blocking.
Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker are both strong candidates for an early contract extension in 2025.
— Felipe Reis Aceti (@Aceti_Felipe) December 8, 2024
While Quay Walker should be next in line for an extension, Green Bay’s recent draft decisions suggest they may be preparing for a future without him. They used a first-round pick on Jordan Morgan in 2024 and took Anthony Belton in the second round in 2025. With a tight 2026 salary cap outlook, Green Bay may be unable to keep both Tom and Quay Walker, and prioritizing Tom will probably leave Walker as the odd man out.
Still, the Packers could re-sign both of their starting tackles. With that in mind, what realistic scenario fits their long-term vision and allows them to do so, and what roster impacts would that decision have?
The Packers already have two sizable contracts committed to the offensive line with Elgton Jenkins and Aaron Banks. Extending Tom is likely manageable within their cap structure, but it’s hard to imagine the team allocating resources for a fourth major deal up front. Therefore, if they choose to re-sign Quay Walker, it would likely signal the end of Jenkins’ tenure in Green Bay. Jenkins turns 30 in December, and any move the Packers make involving him next year could free up around $20 million in cap space.
If the Packers move on from Jenkins, they would need a new starting center. Tom has experience at the position, but his camp will likely push for him to be paid as an offensive tackle – and rightfully so. That’s where he’s been most valuable and should remain for the foreseeable future.
It’s definitely Zach Tom.
On the Packers’ first 6 possessions against the #49ers, Love went 15 for 22, 168 yards, 2 TDs, and a 120.3 rating.
On the Packers’ last 4 possessions, Love went 6 for 12, 30 yards, 2 INTs, and a 16.7 rating.
Guess which drives Tom didn’t play in? https://t.co/qXAq8N7GZl
— Felipe Reis Aceti (@Aceti_Felipe) March 28, 2024
Rhyan would likely be gone, and the Packers would have a new starting right guard. They could find his replacement internally. With both tackle spots locked down, Morgan or Belton could slide inside and start immediately. Morgan played 185 snaps at guard last season and allowed only seven pressures over 104 pass-blocking snaps.
Retaining Rasheed Walker would likely come at the expense of Doubs. Khalil Shakir landed a $15 million per year extension with the Buffalo Bills, and Doubs put up better numbers. He will probably look for something in the same range, or higher. Doubs has become a steady option for Love. However, with his injury history, including two concussions last season, locking in a deal worth $16 to $18 million per year might not be at the top of Green Bay’s priority list.
Rasheed Walker’s contract should not significantly affect decisions regarding Watson or Quay Walker. The Packers could reach a team-friendly deal with Watson, including incentives for staying healthy. A contract in the $10 to $12 million range would be reasonable for Quay Walker – not a bargain, but far from too expensive.
The Packers have Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, and Dontayvion Wicks under contract for 2026, so they shouldn’t be overly concerned about how a Rasheed Walker deal might impact their wide receiver room. However, the long-term implications would be more pronounced on the offensive line.
Green Bay drafted Jordan Morgan to play tackle, so shifting him inside full-time would be a big change from the team’s original plan. However, if Rasheed Walker excels in 2025, the Packers would have a hard time justifying not re-signing him. Moreover, Green Bay could have new starters at two positions on the interior, with one being arguably the most critical position on the line.
I think the Packers will lock up Zach Tom as soon as possible and let Rasheed Walker finish his rookie deal. Based on how the front office has approached recent roster decisions, this might be Rasheed Walker’s final year in Green Bay. However, the conversation could change if he puts together a Pro Bowl-level season.