Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers have always paid an extraordinary amount of attention to building up their offensive line. Rare are the Packers draft class that doesn’t feature an offensive lineman.
Since 2016, there’s only been one draft (2023) where Green Bay didn’t take at least one lineman.
Rasheed Walker has emerged as a solid left tackle after being a seventh-round selection in 2022. In an offseason where Walker is extension-eligible, the Packers would be taking a risk in letting him play out his contract.
There’s risk for both sides when a player is in a contract year.
On one end, the player could suffer a significant injury and see the market the following offseason deteriorate. The player could also have a lousy season, costing money in free agency.
The player could also perform exceptionally and drive up the asking price the following offseason, creating a bidding war.
In the case of Walker and the Packers, there are plenty of angles.
Green Bay didn’t use a premium pick on Walker in 2022. They snagged the former Penn State Nittany Lion with the No. 249 pick and planned on letting him learn and develop his craft at the next level.
Things don’t always go according to plan, though, which was the case with the Packers and the vacancy that emerged at the position.
David Bakhtiari started 11 games at left tackle in Walker’s rookie year but never quite got back to the player he was before his knee injury in late 2020. With Bakhtiari out of the picture, Walker started 15 games at left tackle in 2023 and appeared in 17. He meaningfully contributed to an offensive line that allowed the third-fewest sacks per game (30) in the league.
However, things started a bit bumpy for Walker last year. Penalties were an issue the first few weeks. Still, he overcame the slow start and looked rock solid, holding things down at left tackle.
Walker has gone from a seventh-round pick set to be stashed away for a bit to an extremely reliable left tackle protecting Jordan Love‘s blind side.
Green Bay has the means to dish out money this offseason. Undoubtedly, taking care of business with right tackle Zach Tom should be their first priority.
Tom has played at an All-Pro level, something Walker hasn’t reached. However, it’s not as though anyone believes Walker has maxed out his potential yet. Tom should be in “blank check” territory or close to it, which will limit some of the things the Packers can do elsewhere.
Green Bay also invested a premium pick, No. 25, on offensive lineman Jordan Morgan last year. While at Arizona, Morgan played 37 of his 41 games at left tackle.
Green Bay flirted with Morgan at right guard in 2024 before his season was cut short due to injury.
In the long run, the Packers would probably prefer to see Morgan at tackle. Tom is an All-Pro right tackle, so there’s no budging there.
Walker has been solid, making this a good problem for Green Bay. They’ll have to juggle wanting Morgan at left tackle, where he’s seen his most action as a football player, or slotting him in at guard because of how effective Walker is at left tackle.
Those future decisions certainly factor into Walker’s contract extension. The dicey part with all of it is that while Green Bay has to believe Morgan is a solution at tackle (why else would they take him in the first round?), it’s no guarantee. The only partial guarantee is that Walker plays the position at a high level.
That’s where the leverage lies with Walker.
Matt LaFleur has had a front-row seat to see the growth and the confidence Walker has displayed, and he commented on it in November.
Yeah, I think he’s been doing a better job for sure. I think it all starts with his approach. I’ve noticed just how intentional he is in his preparation. We always talk about walkthrough to indy (individual practice drills), to team (drills), and ultimately to game day. So, I think he’s done a really good job with that. It’s got to continue because I always tell him I don’t want to pat you on the butt and you poop in my hand.
Walker’s ascension into a well-above-average starting left tackle is a credit to the player and the Packers coaching staff for developing him.
Given the sample size of the past two seasons and the urgency that every team has to solidify the left tackle spot, there is a great risk in the Packers letting Walker play out the final year of his contract with no extension in place.
