Did the Packers Miss an Opportinity to Bring Back Rasheed Walker?
By GilMartin
Former Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker signed a one-year, prove it deal with the Carolina Panthers on Friday. While the full details have yet to be disclosed, according to published reports, the contract was worth $10 million. That was far below the projected value most experts had for Walker. So, with this deal coming in so low, did the Packers drop the ball by not re-signing Walker?
The original projection for Walker was roughly $20 million for three or four years according to spotrac.com. That would have given the Packers either a third or fourth-round compensatory pick in 2027 depending on the details of the contract. Obviously, that did not happen. Now, the Packers will be more likely to receive a sixth-round pick in exchange for losing Walker in free agency.
Certainly, the Packers are disappointed that Walker only got a similar contract to backup defensive end Kingsley Enagbare who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the New York Jets. They will also be disappointed about the lower compensatory selection. This may also make GM Brian Gutekunst a little more hesitant to spend additional money in free agency so as to not cancel out potential compensatory picks when the league makes its calculations next offseason.
Walker came a long way since being selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Entering his final year at Penn State, he was considered a potential early round draft pick, but he had a disappointing final college season and fell all the way to the seventh round.
Walker barely saw the field as a rookie, but when David Bahtiari’s knees prevented him from playing after Week 1 in 2023, Walker stepped in and became the starting left tackle. He did a good job as a pass blocker but was average at best blocking for the run. For two seasons, he did a good job of protecting Jordan Love’s blindside and was considered an above average left tackle.
But last season was contact year for Walker, and he had a disappointing year. He took too many penalties for false starts or lining up offsides. His pass blocking wasn’t as good as it had been, probably partially due to inconsistent play at left guard next to him. His run blocking remained subpar. Overall, it was a performance that ended up costing him a second contract with the Packers and a lot of money on the free agent market. Had Walker played up to the standard he set in the previous two seasons, he would have gotten at least the $20 million AAV deal for three or four years.
But one question now arises: would it have been worth it for the Packers to re-sign Walker to a similar, one-year, $10 million deal. There is no doubt the team didn’t want to pay Walker $20 million per year after he struggled through the 2025 campaign but paying him $10 million on a one-year deal to be the swing tackle would have made a lot of sense.
Right now, the Packers have Zach Tom starting at right tackle and coming off surgery after dealing with multiple injuries in 2025. The favorite to win the left tackle job is Jordan Morgan who has yet to prove he’s ready to start after spending two seasons alternating between tackle and guard and the left side and right side.
Keeping Walker around on a bargain deal would have given the Packers excellent depth at tackle. If Walker beat out Morgan, he would have a chance to raise his market value before either re-signing in Green Bay or hitting the market again. If he didn’t win the starting job, he’d be the first tackle off the bench and again hit the market next year.
Of course, that ship has now sailed as Walker will be in Carolina next season. The Packers will now look to add some depth at offensive tackle before the season begins, most likely on day three of the draft.
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Comments (50)
Guam
March 14, 2026 at 10:30 am
$10MM is a huge amount for a depth player and not enough for a quality LT. I think the league saw what the Packer FO saw last season and decided R. Walker was barely a starter, if that. I admit I had Walker overrated, but thought the Packers couldn't afford to keep him anyway. Clearly the league views him as a project and not an established LT. And $10MM is way too much for a backup OL.
Time to find out what #1 pick Jordan Morgan can do. And draft several OL in April.
dobber
March 14, 2026 at 10:36 am
So many pre-FA pieces out there about how the FA tackle market was, and how GMs have overpaid very average OL over the last couple FA cycles and blown up the market. Yes, there was a re-set on the top of the market at C (Linderbaum? $81M essentially fully guaranteed?), but I think GMs balked at paying average FA OL this year, and Walker was one of the poster children.
LambeauPlain
March 15, 2026 at 08:02 am
Above average FA LTs don't get a one year $10 M contract (total with incentives!) viewed as a bridge hire until someone else is ready.
Carolina certainly did not view Walker as an above average, long term LT for them and neither did the Packers...or the NFL for that matter. The average salary for starting NFL OL is between $4 and $9 M/year. Walker may be entering a "journeyman" career. Or hopfully he earns an extension as a Panther. He seems to be a good teammate and is available...rarely missing games.
Should the Packers have re-signed him for $10 M as a back up swing tackle? No, and I doubt Walker would have even entertained it because he knows Morgan has replaced him. At least at Carolina he has a chance to remain a starter and not get sent to the bench.
dobber
March 14, 2026 at 10:32 am
"The original projection for Walker was roughly $20 million for three or four years according to spotrac.com. "
It was the market that set Walker's value, and it took the better part of the week to do it.. By the time the market had set that value, the Packers had already moved on and built their FA strategy around not paying a Walker, so circling back on a one-year deal that eats up virtually all their remaining "discretionary FA spending money" doesn't make much sense.
bjkdad44
March 14, 2026 at 06:45 pm
Excellent observation!
golfpacker61
March 14, 2026 at 10:54 am
I wonder if the Packers were still in communication with one of their top FAs, Walker? Or if he would have even considered coming back to familiar surroundings, the Packers for a lower prove it deal? It's too bad our cap situation didn't offer us the opportunity to resign him at that lower number and then move him in season for a later day 2 pick?
Didn't we have the former Packers OT Josh Njiman on the team for about that dollar number before he left Green Bay?
Just curious.
dobber
March 15, 2026 at 09:57 am
Nijman played out his first four years (through his RFA year) in GB. They put a second round tender on him for that RFA year (about $4M at the time). He was allowed to walk after the season.
lou
March 14, 2026 at 11:08 am
He was a capable starting LT at a time when one was needed badly, time to thank him for his service and let him move on, the Packers gave him the opportunity and he took advantage of it.
In reference to the offensive line, why no word on Tom's surgery, did he have it, is it planned, may he not need it like Enegbare ? It is getting late in relation to when he can play in a regular season game. Not knowing when your best offensive lineman is going to be available is not a good position to be in especially after the results the offensive line had in term of production last season. I am surprised all the scribes haven't asked this already.
Since'75
March 15, 2026 at 09:40 am
Lou is absolutely correct.
How many 7th round picks have started 48 games at left tackle in the NFL?
Like Lou. i say give the man his props.
dobber
March 15, 2026 at 09:59 am
I think Tom had his surgery just before the superbowl. A quick search doesn't reveal anything definite.
splitpea1
March 14, 2026 at 11:15 am
The Packers may have missed an opportunity with Walker at a reasonable price for only one year, but Morgan was drafted for a reason and we'll see what happens when you put him at his natural position instead of guard. Although Walker was a gem of a pick in the seventh-round, I like the upside of Morgan. The Panthers, meanwhile, should be pleased that they got a starting-caliber tackle for a good price and a minimal commitment.
What stings is the sinking of our comp pick, and I've read it could be as low as the sixth-round now. Doesn't seem fair.
KenEllis
March 14, 2026 at 11:15 am
Imagine drafting a guy in round 1, a guy who repeatedly states on the record he is a LT and only a LT and then playing that round 1 pick at RG and RT but never inserting him at LT ahead of Rasheed Walker.
The rest of the NFL made it clear Walker is not a starter and yet we wasted 2 years of Morgan’s rookie deal sitting him behind Rasheed. Either Morgan is even worse than Walker or the same crew that paid Aaron Banks a king’s ransom to play RG poorly and decided Elgton Jenkins was a Center are in over their collective heads when it comes to the offensive line.
GreenandBold
March 14, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Could be both never underestimate the Packers FO .
dblbogey
March 14, 2026 at 01:21 pm
Drafted him in the 7th round, very cheap starter for 4 years, and now they'll get a 6th rounder for him. Sounds like the whole thing was a pretty good deal for the Packers.
KenEllis
March 14, 2026 at 05:07 pm
"Cheap" starter? Absolutely.
Quality starter? Not hardly.
Lowest-graded Packer player in 2025? Yes according to Andy Herman.
If the team's goal is to be cheap, then yeah Walker really worked out well.
If the goal is to win a Super Bowl, not having someone better playing LT in 2025 was a pretty bad deal ... for the Packers ... and Rasheed's career earnings.
HarryHodag
March 14, 2026 at 11:21 am
One factor is Anthony Belton. His college position was left tackle. If Morgan is unavailable they can move Belton to left tackle and Kinnard to right guard.
If Walker was a priority the Packers would have kept him. One reason he got a relatively low offer was the last half of last season was not top money play.
Morgan was drafted to succeed Walker after free agency.
There's a time to move on and this is it.
dobber
March 15, 2026 at 10:02 am
I think you hit on the key part: Belton can play both tackle spots and G. Tom can play just about any OL position. I think those things may yet figure into the OL alignment if the Packers draft a very capable IOL early.
Snap the ball
March 14, 2026 at 11:49 am
HERE WE GO AGAIN. O LINE IN FLUX LIKE LAST YEAR
NOT A PLACE TO START
dobber
March 14, 2026 at 12:15 pm
I think they've acted pretty decisively.
dblbogey
March 14, 2026 at 01:22 pm
Would you have preferred they did nothing and went into the '26 season with the same poor O line?
PhantomII
March 14, 2026 at 12:00 pm
He looks very heavy with no noticeable muscle tone...something that would slow down a LT who must be fleet of foot. Lose some weight and bring on some muscle and he should improve at least his base and quickness. Good luck young fella...pretty good so far for a late round pick.
mjbrogno
March 14, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Bring him back? It’s not good to write will inebriated. He was horrible, I would rather Jon Michels (bust)
Heyward
March 14, 2026 at 01:55 pm
I'm guessing you're not bright enough to see the irony in your comment.
stockholder
March 14, 2026 at 12:20 pm
The only reason Walker is not in GB,
Is because of Gute.
His bad decision to take Morgan is obvious now.
Walker and Jenkins got screwed when he signed Banks.
The whole OL knew it.
One thing is obvious with Gute.
He'll get rid of anyone to prove he's right.
Regardless of how that player plays.
Regardless of any hole created.
marpag1
March 14, 2026 at 03:56 pm
Do you think Walker played well last year?
stockholder
March 14, 2026 at 04:54 pm
I think walker played good enough , not great.
His breakdown was against the Bears.
We were lucky to have Willis, and his ability
to scramble.
I have No faith in Banks. It's BS what Gute paid him.
And I have to wonder if he didn't want out of GB.
Seriously- All he heard was, he was in Morgans way.
Who's to say he didn't want out of GB.
He got no respect. Screwed out of money. (extension)
So you screw Gute by signing a 1 year contract.
Knowing you'll get paid and go where your wanted.
I'll bet anyone he gets a extension.
marpag1
March 14, 2026 at 11:39 pm
No one says, "Let me put millions of dollars at risk so that I can screw Gute out of a comp pick." You suggest that Walker "knows he'll get paid" anyway. He doesn't know that. He might think that, but that would be stupid. And he would have to have the worst agent in the history of professional sports. Every athlete and every agent wants the guaranteed money, and as much of it as possible.
He got what the market was willing to give, and it's not starter money.
stockholder
March 15, 2026 at 10:25 am
If your good at something.
You know it!
Money can't by Love.
And the choice was Love, or Going Postal.
bjkdad44
March 14, 2026 at 06:49 pm
No!
bjkdad44
March 14, 2026 at 06:49 pm
Indeed!
TheKanataThrilla
March 14, 2026 at 01:02 pm
Last year was a bit of a mess for Rasheed, but I do wonder if some of the problem may have been the problems we had at LG for most of the year and the constant changes throughout the OL? Timing was off and the whole offensive line seemed out of sync.
I think we need to see what we have in Morgan as a LT, but to be honest I am quite scared to go into this season without a plan B at LT. I just feel another year of juggling the OL till something sticks may be upon us.
dobber
March 15, 2026 at 10:13 am
The Packers need to find some playable depth for the OL in the draft. By resigning Kinnard, they have one guy with any real NFL track record, but he's really only a game-day backup on the right side. Glover is coming back from injury, but even though he seemed to have a good camp last year we really don't know what he'll be. Unless they plan to roll with Lecitus Smith or Jacob Monk, they really don't have a backup C.
There are several mouths to feed early in the draft--OL, DL, CB--and maybe Gute's not done on the FA market, yet, but I think the Packers take an IOL early who can play early and challenge inside, and a developmental guy later on. I think the goal would be to have game-day depth that doesn't require they juggle three guys if one gets hurt.
Alberta_Packer
March 14, 2026 at 02:07 pm
I think that both parties should be satisfied with the no return (Walker) scenario. For the Packers - they see a potential upgrade with Morgan at LT and a better salary cap situation. While for Walker - an opportunity to hit it big or to bet on himself. So new beginnings to each.
LambeauPlain
March 15, 2026 at 08:30 am
I agree the Packers believe they have an upgrade with Morgan. My question is why they valued Walker as their starting LT for nearly 3 years when the NFL market for him was as a one year bridge hire for $10 M?
The Packers drafted the lifelong, successful LT in Morgan then played Stenovich and Butkus's musical chairs with him and Rhyan, fill in at RG, and even RT with virtually no practice there before game time.
Meanwhile no real musical chairs for Morgan at LT...when at some point before or during 2025 they decided Walker would be allowed to walk. From the very limited sample at LT, nothing I saw proclaimed Walker as the clear #1 over Morgan.
The FO and coaches seem as disjointed making strategic and best 5 OL decisions as the unit they put on the field.
Alberta_Packer
March 15, 2026 at 02:53 pm
Agree - muddle management. That's what happens when the status quo is upheld. Especially relative to the Offense.
marpag1
March 14, 2026 at 03:55 pm
You don't buy a crap sandwich just because it's cheap.
dobber
March 15, 2026 at 10:14 am
How about crap with cheese?
GregC
March 14, 2026 at 04:16 pm
He had a bad year and his value plummeted.... So we should keep him? As a $10 million backup? No, thanks.
LambeauPlain
March 15, 2026 at 08:53 am
It certainly has occurred to me...and likely you and others, especially NFL GMs, that Walker's performance was the worst when he should have displayed his very best.
His last year in college, after being labeled as a potential first rounder, fell off the table. He was fortunate to be drafted. And he barely made the Packers as a rookie and didn't see the field but for a few meaningless snaps.
But he worked hard to improve setting up 2025 performance was another audition to ring the NFL LT free agent bell. So he again fell off...glaringly showed poor discipline and a decided lack of power and prowess in the run game for such a big man.
He did manage to get an incentive laden $10 M contract and that is still a lot of money. Just not in the same zip code as above average LT free agents reap.
THESZOTMAN1
March 14, 2026 at 05:53 pm
I don't think we made the wrong call on Rasheed, whatever the price. However, this statement depends on one simple fact: Jordan Morgan must do what we drafted him to do 2 years ago: Play a serviceable LT. He won't be
Bakhtiari. but he'll have to step up and play like the 1st rounder he is. Knock wood.
The Szotman
mjbrogno
March 14, 2026 at 11:10 pm
We drafted Morgan to play left tackle, cross training BS. If we draft him to play tackle so be it. He did not play OG in college , so why try him now to play guard. Give me a break !!!
stockholder
March 15, 2026 at 07:18 am
Supposedly- Long arms @Lt
Morgans arms were not long enough.
(But the appropriate measure for Guards.)
They also have had success; with letting a
guy play on the right side for a year,
before moving him to the left.
(It didn't help Spriggs and now Morgan )
dobber
March 15, 2026 at 10:23 am
"They also have had success; with letting a
guy play on the right side for a year,
before moving him to the left."
Who are you talking about?
Not Nijman. He wasn't very good, couldn't hold down a LT job, and is now out of the league.
Not Billy Turner.
If you're going back beyond Bakhtiari, you might as well be calling in league historians.
stockholder
March 15, 2026 at 10:31 am
Bahk, Jenkins, Part of the old zone blocking ideas.
And even Walker started on the right.
dobber
March 15, 2026 at 11:10 am
Jenkins played RG and LG then capably at LT for Bakh after 69 got hurt...then blew out his knee and returned early to play RT where he mostly struggled before moving back inside.
Bakhtiari never played a game snap at RT. Bulaga got hurt during Bakh's rookie camp and Bakh never looked back.
I'm not going to disagree that Walker probably projects better to the right than left side and his practice time at RT as a rookie makes him a sample size of 1. Several pundits reported that Morgan's late-season play at RT was better than his early season play at RT (when he was plopped there without much prep).
stockholder
March 15, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Trying camp of 2013. -Copy and paste for you-
The Green Bay Packers drafted David Bakhtiari in 2013 because Bryan Bulaga, who was "shifted" to left tackle that training camp, tore his ACL, forcing the rookie to start immediately
. Bakhtiari performed well, prompting the team to move Bulaga back to right tackle upon his return in 2014 to solidify both edges.
dobber
March 15, 2026 at 03:04 pm
"The Green Bay Packers drafted David Bakhtiari in 2013 because Bryan Bulaga, who was "shifted" to left tackle that training camp, tore his ACL....move Bulaga back to right tackle upon his return in 2014 to solidify both edges."
Your timelines are convoluted here.
The draft came months before Bulaga got hurt...at least THAT time he got hurt.
Bitternotsour
March 15, 2026 at 03:13 pm
3/8 of an inch.
LambeauPlain
March 15, 2026 at 08:40 am
"This may also make GM Brian Gutekunst a little more hesitant to spend additional money in free agency so as to not cancel out potential compensatory picks when the league makes its calculations next offseason."
Wow...really? If true, so much for the "urgency" preached by Gutey and the FO. Delay improving the team for 2026 in order to get another mid round 2027 comp pick?
I doubt this, unless the "status quo" is firmly in place now.
Since'75
March 15, 2026 at 09:16 am
I still say that moving Jenkins to center, had a negative effect on Walkers play.
I watched as last season progressed, and i couldn't help but think that Walker was losing money on a weekly basis.
Being a LT tackle, responsible for giving up 7 sacks, isn't good, for anyone.