Quay Walker has precedent to point to.
Linebackers not all that different than him signed recent extensions. That sets the Green Bay Packers' linebacker up to get a nice payday when his deal is done after this season and makes him a free agent.
The Ringer's Austin Gayle laid out the case for Walker by comparing him to linebackers from the Eagles, Chiefs and Jets.
"If Green Bay is unable to strike a deal with him, Walker should demand top dollar from a frenzy of bidders in March," Gayle wrote this week. "Zack Baun, Nick Bolton, and Jamien Sherwood all signed three-year extensions in the $15 million to $17 million range with their respective teams last offseason; Walker’s asking price will likely start there."
MORE: Myles Garrett is full of irony after major contract decision, critical comments
Walker seems like a player the Packers will want to bring back.
Green Bay had previously declined his fifth-year option, but Walker has proven to be worthy of a payday.
"Walker has a rare combination of size and speed that teams desperately need in this pass-happy league, where off-ball linebackers are picked on in man coverage or have trouble in zone coverage in the middle of the field," Gayle writes. "He also fights through contact well in the run game and has improved significantly as a tackler. Walker has missed just one tackle since Week 8, per PFF, and his missed tackle rate has been below 8 percent in each of the past three seasons. The Packers declined Walker’s fifth-year option ahead of this season, but general manager Brian Gutekunst has said that he wants to keep Walker for the long term."
MORE: The Bills risk making a massive Josh Allen mistake
The Packers don't have any headline-grabbing players heading for free agency, but they do also have left tackle Rasheed Walker available and potentially looking at a solid payday, too.
Green Bay has some decisions to make whenever their season is over.
More NFL news:
- Drake Maye has one issue that could stop Patriots from winning Super Bowl
- Micah Parsons' injury has crushed the Packers in a very specific way
- Jalen Hurts has a big problem, and it's not what it used to be
- Puka Nacua made the best non-catch you've ever seen
- Chiefs' plans for Travis Kelce revealed as retirement looms
- This viral Josh Allen highlight from Wyoming is crazy