Green Bay Packers Expected To Lose Former First Round Pick In Free Agency

The Green Bay Packers have some key players hitting free agency, including linebacker Quay Walker. 

Walker has spent his entire career with the Packers since they drafted him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

He has been a key piece for Green Bay's defense, but it could be time to move on from him. 

The Packers are expected to lose Walker in free agency as he could have a high price tag, and they need to be smart with every financial commitment. Green Bay has committed a ton of money to players on their roster, including Jordan Love and Micah Parsons.

To maximize their Super Bowl window, the Packers must make the difficult decision to let Walker leave in free agency.

In the 2025 season, Walker finished with 128 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and eight tackles for loss. The 25-year-old is a talented linebacker, but Green Bay has Edgerrin Cooper in place at inside linebacker and could find a cheaper replacement for Walker in free agency or the draft.

Cooper has shown he can be a true difference-maker for the defense. In 2025, he had 118 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

The money saved from not re-signing Walker will also allow the Packers to address their bigger needs, including cornerback and defensive line.

It's unlikely that Green Bay will be as active in free agency as they were the last two years, where they signed Xavier McKinney, Josh Jacobs, Aaron Banks, and Nate Hobbs to big contracts.

In addition to letting Walker walk, the Packers will likely lose wide receiver Romeo Doubs and left tackle Rasheed Walker.

Despite likely losing multiple starters, Green Bay has the replacements in place and needs to make some moves on the edges to round out the roster to compete for a Super Bowl title.

They have three of their best players, Micah Parsons, Tucker Kraft, and Devonte Wyatt, coming back from injury in 2026, which will give them a major boost.

Losing Walker in free agency will be disappointing, as he's been a solid player, but it's a necessary move for the construction of the roster.

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