Quay Walker

Walker’s deal includes $28 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Walker spent the past four seasons starting 57-of-58 games for the Packers after being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Green Bay declined his fifth-year option and could not get a new contract together; Walker now heads to a Raiders team with the exorbitant amount of money needed to sign as many free agents as possible. The 25-year-old has nine career sacks and 469 combined tackles under his belt. He ranks middle-of-the-pack in coverage and as a run defender throughout his career, though PFF graded him outside the top-60 linebackers in both run defense and coverage grades for 2025. Walker has the opportunity to be a plug-and-play starter in the middle of the Raiders defense moving forward.

Walker suffered a stinger in Week 11 and is now listed with a neck injury. He does not practice to start the week, putting his Week 12 status in jeopardy. Also not practicing was CB Nate Hobbs (knee), who has missed each of the last two weeks. Both players will face an uphill battle to play against the Vikings this week, leaving the Packers defense thin.

Walker was a surprise DNP in the middle of the week because of the calf injury. He returned for a limited session on Friday before being listed as questionable. Brandon McManus was also questionable and is active. Inactive for the Packers are WR Dontayvion Wicks, K Lucas Havrisik, OG Jacob Monk, OT Donovan Jennings, DL Lukas Van Ness, and DL Warren Brinson.

The fourth-year linebacker underwent a cleanup procedure on his ankle in the offseason and was still working his way back as of a week ago. His short stay on the PUP list makes it clear he wasn’t dealing with anything that will affect him into the regular season. Christian Watson was placed on the PUP list at the same time and is still a ways away from returning. Entering a contract year, Walker is looking for a breakout campaign as he approaches free agency.

Walker totaled 80 tackles, nine going for a loss or no gain, 14 quarterback pressures and three sacks last year; fine figures but hardly game-wrecking. He can be a bit of a liability in coverage as well, having allowed 41 receptions and 18 first downs in that role. He has, however, cut down on tackling mistakes over the last two seasons, bringing his career missed tackle average down to 8.4 percent after worryingly hitting double digits (10.1 percent) in his 2022 rookie season. Walker and the front office must now find common ground on a long-term deal that appropriately rewards his positives while accounting for his negatives as well.

Walker will be a candidate to have his fifth-year option picked up this offseason, which Gutekunst commented on by saying that the number for linebackers is “a little wonky because there’s so many edge guys that are part of that, which drives up that number, which probably isn’t great.” It’s possible the Packers get Walker extended this offseason rather than trying to work off the fifth-year option number in 2026. Either way, Walker is tied to the Packers through at least the 2026 season as long as Green Bay extends him or picks up the fifth-year option.

S Evan Williams (quad) is also active, leaving the Pack reasonably healthy for this colossal contest. Inactive for Green Bay are QB Sean Clifford, WR Christian Watson, DB Zayne Anderson, OL Andre Dillard and TE Ben Sims.

Eric Wilson was relied on heavily as Walker left last weekend’s game with the Seahawks with the ankle injury after only 22 snaps. It sure sounds like Wilson will be in there again on Sunday. Walker has been a solid run defender this year though his 48.8 PFF coverage grade creates some dissonance in calling him a true stalwart at linebacker for the Packers.