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Why the Green Bay Packers Are Prepared to Move On From Rasheed Walker — And Why Analysts Predict He May Become a Costly Free Agency Bust in 2026

The Green Bay Packers enter the 2026 offseason with a long list of expiring contracts, but few of those names are expected to return as the franchise prepares to reshape the roster under a rapidly expanding salary cap environment. While Green Bay will have plenty of financial room to maneuver once the new league year begins, the organization is unlikely to retain many of its outgoing free agents — including starters who have contributed significantly over the past several seasons.

One of the more notable decisions involves wide receiver Romeo Doubs, a reliable playmaker who is projected to land elsewhere. With Green Bay heavily invested in its younger receiving core — bolstered by the recent additions of Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in the 2025 NFL Draft — Doubs is expected to thrive more on a team where he can command a larger share of targets. The Packers’ depth at the position makes his departure logical and likely.

However, the more complicated case lies on the offensive line, where left tackle Rasheed Walker is set to enter free agency for the first time in his career. Drafted in the seventh round in 2022, Walker was never viewed as a long-term foundational piece, yet he ultimately developed into a multi-season starter at one of the NFL’s most demanding positions. Despite that growth, analysts now predict that Walker may become one of the 2026 offseason’s most significant free agency risks — a projected “bust” whose next team may quickly regret the investment.

How Rasheed Walker Became a Starter — and Why His Future in Green Bay Was Always Limited

Walker stepped into the starting left tackle role after Week One of the 2023 season following the season-ending injury to franchise cornerstone David Bakhtiari. From that point onward, Walker held the job through multiple seasons, demonstrating consistency, toughness, and a level of performance that exceeded expectations for a Day 3 pick.

Even so, the Packers never fully committed to him long term. The selection of Jordan Morgan in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft signaled that Green Bay was preparing for a future without Walker well before his contract expired. Morgan’s presence on the roster made it clear that Walker’s tenure was approaching its natural end — no matter how serviceable he remained on the field.

Walker’s Market Value Skyrockets — But Concerns Rise With It

Now set to hit free agency, Walker is projected to command a contract worth roughly $20 million per year, a figure driven by the scarcity of competent starting left tackles on the open market. Despite his flaws, Walker’s durability and experience place him among the most attractive options available at his position.

However, the Packers — who emphasize value, long-term planning, and system fit — are not considered likely to match those price expectations. Their investment in Morgan, paired with Walker’s inconsistencies, make the financial commitment impractical. And according to multiple analysts, whichever team does commit to paying Walker top-tier tackle money may ultimately regret it.

Bleacher Report Labels Walker a Likely 2026 Free Agency Bust

Bleacher Report included Walker on its list of eight likely free agent busts, pointing to several performance metrics that raise red flags about his long-term viability as a high-priced blindside protector.

Packers Wire’s Mike Oldacres detailed Walker’s struggles, noting that he ranks in the 46th percentile in PFF’s pass-block efficiency metric and the 48th percentile on true dropbacks. While Walker has provided functional left tackle play, analysts emphasize that he has not delivered much beyond baseline competency.

Oldacres also highlighted severe deficiencies in Walker’s run-blocking performance:

• 15th percentile in zone-blocking grade over the last three seasons

• 36th percentile in gap-scheme blocking

• 22nd percentile in overall run-block grade

These numbers paint a picture of a lineman who may not justify the type of contract his market value currently suggests.

Why Teams May Still Overpay for Walker — and Why Trouble Could Follow

Despite his limitations, Walker is likely to receive a lucrative multiyear deal simply because capable left tackles rarely reach unrestricted free agency. The projected contract — estimated around four years, $81.1 million — resembles the structure of other overvalued deals that created long-term cap problems for teams in previous years.

Bleacher Report warns that Walker could mirror other big-money tackles who delivered only mediocre performance, ultimately leading their new teams to seek early exit strategies two to three years into the contract. The mismatch between his projected cost and actual production potential raises serious concerns about buyer’s remorse.

The Packers’ Decision Aligns With Their Organizational Philosophy

Green Bay has long maintained a disciplined approach to roster construction, avoiding emotional decisions and focusing on maximizing long-term stability. Choosing to let Walker walk aligns with this strategy, especially given the presence of Morgan — a player drafted specifically to become the franchise’s next cornerstone at left tackle.

The Packers’ offensive line has been transitioning toward a younger, more athletic unit designed to support the evolution of Jordan Love. Placing a massive contract on Walker would contradict the team’s priorities and limit their flexibility in extending higher-impact players.

Context Matters: Walker Still Exceeded Expectations

While the criticism of Walker’s performance is statistically valid, it is important to acknowledge the improbable journey he followed to become a starting-caliber tackle in the NFL. As a seventh-round draft pick, expectations were minimal. His ability to step into one of football’s most challenging positions and start for three seasons is an achievement few late-round picks ever reach.

Walker developed into a reliable plug-in option who performed well enough for the Packers to remain competitive, even during transitional years. His story reflects grit, resilience, and professional growth — traits that deserve respect, even if they do not justify a premier-level contract.

What Happens Next for Walker — and for Green Bay

As Walker enters free agency, he is expected to draw interest from offensive-line-needy teams seeking experience and stability. While his next contract may ultimately prove costly, his durability and passable performance ensure that he will not remain unsigned for long.

For the Packers, the focus shifts to transitioning Morgan into the full-time starting role and reinforcing the depth around him. The team’s investment in young offensive linemen aligns with the broader plan to build a long-term roster centered around Love, sustainability, and cost efficiency.

Final Thoughts: A Smart Decision, Even If Not a Popular One

Allowing Rasheed Walker to depart may frustrate fans who value continuity, but the decision is grounded in logic, metrics, and organizational foresight. Walker provided critical service during a transitional era, but the Packers have prepared for his exit and cannot risk overspending at a position where they have already invested a first-round successor.

Walker’s story is a success, even if the ending is predictable. He exceeded expectations, stabilized the offensive line when needed, and earned the opportunity to be paid on the open market. But for Green Bay, the future lies with Morgan — and the financial discipline that has consistently defined the franchise.