During the 2024 off season, Green Bay hired a new linebackers coach and drafted two young players at the same position in the 2024 Draft. However, there are still some big questions at the Packers linebacker position, with only Edgerrin Cooper playing at a high level on a consistent basis. The Packers also have two 2024 starters are scheduled to hit the free agent market in March, and a decision to make regarding Quay Walker’s fifth year option. With only 3 players at the position under contract for 2025, linebacker once again becomes a position of need. So what are the ways Green Bay could attack this problem?
Quay Walker’s Fifth Year Option
On the whole, us Green Bay fans have a love-hate relationship with Quay Walker. His standout moment in his three year career in Green Bay is surely his pick six of Justin Fields in Chicago in week 1 of the 2023 season. However, Walker also frequently struggles to play with instinct and can often be seen shuffling back and forth on the same spot trying to decide whether to drop into coverage or rush the QB. His decision making and attitude is also an issue, with Walker being ejected multiple times in his short career, most notably in the regular season finale vs Detroit in 2022.
By picking up his option the Packers would be paying Walker over $16 million, per Over the Cap. Judging by GM Brian Gutekunst’s end of season press conference, it seems more than likely that they will be picking this up, with Gutey saying he would “love to have him around here for more than a couple of years”. (Green Bay Packers on SI) Picking up Walker’s option would keep him in Green Bay for at least two more seasons, and with Walker showing signs of consistency towards the end of last season, the front office could look to him as a long time leader for this team.
Sign a Linebacker in Free Agency
Brian Gutekunst has successfully signed free agent linebackers in the past, most noticably De’Vondre Campbell Sr., who achieved all-pro honors in his first season with the team. There are four big name linebackers who are about to hit the market:
- Dre Greenlaw (SF)
- Nick Bolton (KC)
- Zach Baun (PHI)
- Bobby Wagner (WAS)
Although we would all love one of these leaders on the Green Bay defense, it seems unlikely that Green Bay will spend high end money at the position if they do pick up Walker’s option, as expected, but if they decline the option then the front office could spend the big bucks to to add some much needed experience into a LB room containing 4 seasons of experience, 5 if you include Ty’Ron Hopper’s red shirt year.
In terms of lower budget players, long time Buccaneer Lavonte David would be a smart add for Green Bay, adding that desired experience. Although he’s lost some of his speed, the younger players in the room should more than make up for that. Alternatively, former Viking/Cowboy Eric Kendricks or Raider Robert Spillane could be options in March.
Draft a Linebacker
The third option for Green Bay would be to repeat their 2024 tactic, and draft a linebacker in April. Jack Kiser of Notre Dame could be a late day two/early day three target, as Green Bay move into win now mode. Kiser stood out at the Senior Bowl as a hard working player, and has plenty of experience playing over 70 games in college. Although he isn’t the athletic freak the Packers usually target, but could change direction in this draft, with the aim of finding players who can make an immediate impact, and Kiser could definitely provide that. The Fighting Irish linebacker was also named as the best linebacker at the Senior Bowl.
Jeffrey Bassa could be an alternative option. The middle linebacker out of Oregon played every game over 4 years and called plays on defence for the national team at last weeks Senior Bowl. Bassa is a more prototypical Packers pick who plays each snap hard and fast. He isn’t the most reliable in coverage, like the current rostered players, but does possess the recovery speed Green Bay seemingly desires from its draft picks.
With GM Brian Gutekunst attending the Senior Bowl this week, Jack Kurz reported here, that the Packers met with several linebackers including Oklahoma State’s Nick Martin.
So What Will They Do?
Ultimately, only the front office know, but it wouldn’t be a shock if Green Bay did all of the above, signing a vet, and picking up a LB in the later rounds, but what is for sure is that they need to add depth to a position, where two of the three players on the roster missed multiple games in 2025, so at least another two names seem sure to be added by the end of April’s draft. Whether these will be through free agency, or through the draft, only time will tell.
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