The Green Bay Packers have become known for having one of the most dependable offensive lines in the NFL. Year in and year out, they always have one of the best units in the league out on the field. What is more, they have been able to accomplish this mostly with their own homegrown talent, linemen that they have selected late in various NFL Drafts.
Even the legendary David Bakhtiari was a Day Two pick, selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Currently, Green Bay’s offensive line boasts Zach Tom at right tackle, who was also a fourth round pick (2022), and Rasheed Walker, was a seventh round pick (2022).
2025 is the final season for both players’ rookie contracts, and while it is a foregone conclusion that Tom will get a second deal, the Packers have a very expensive decision to make in regards to Walker.
Will the Green Bay Packers Extend Left Tackle Rasheed Walker?
Tork Mason
Earlier this offseason, the Packers signed offensive guard Aaron Banks to a four-year $77 million contract and allowed center Josh Myers to depart in free agency (he has since signed with the New York Jets). These decisions have caused a bit of a shift on the offensive line.
Two-time Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins is going to shift to center while Banks takes over his old position. Sean Rhyan, who played well at right guard last year, will presumably stay there, but may face some competition from 2024 first round pick Jordan Morgan.
But it is Morgan who complicates things when Green Bay tries to determine Walker’s future. Given their history, the Packers do not draft offensive guards in the first round. Brian Gutekunst has said, repeatedly, that he views Morgan as a tackle, as the Arizona product played left tackle for his entire college career.
That being said, Morgan missed all but six games in his rookie season due a shoulder injury.
Now, with the 2025 NFL season looming, Green Bay needs to make a decision on Walker. Will this be his last year in the Green and Gold, or will they extend him along with Tom?
The answer is unknown, but there are several important factors to consider. First is that Walker has done an admirable job at left tackle, at first filling in there after Bakhtiari went down with likely is a career-ending knee injury.
Second, however, is that his market value once he hits free agency, if Green Bay allows him to do so, is $20.5 million a year.
As mentioned, the Packers will assuredly extend Zach Tom, who likely will have multiple Pro Bowls and All-Pro nods in his future. They are already paying Banks close to $20 million a year and Jenkins $17 million a year.
The offensive line is one of, if not the most, important units in football. It is worth spending money on. But will the Packers decide to give Walker $20 million a year, or let him leave in free agency and play Morgan (or someone else) at left tackle?
The 2025 season will give us that answer.
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