Wyatt will make about $14 million guaranteed for the 2026 season.
One down, one to go.
That’s the status of the Green Bay Packers’ decisions on fifth-year options for the two players that they drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Linebacker Quay Walker and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, both out of the University of Georgia, were the team’s two round-one picks that year and are therefore eligible for a team option to add a fifth season onto their rookie contracts.
According to Justin Schultz of FOX Sports, the Packers have made the decision to exercise the option on Wyatt, the 28th overall selection in 2022. That option will add a fully guaranteed year onto his contract at a base salary of roughly $14 million.
The Packers must still make a decision on Walker no later than Thursday, May 1st. The fact that only the Wyatt option was reported may indicate that the team is looking to sign Walker to a longer-term contract before that deadline.
Prior to the 2025 NFL Draft last week, general manager Brian Gutekunst all but guaranteed that both players would have their options picked up or a contract extension signed before Thursday’s deadline. In a press conference last Monday, Gutekunst said “Whether that’s doing the 5th-year option on (Walker and Wyatt) or extending them, one way or the other we’re planning to do that.”
$14 million may feel like a steep price to pay for a defensive tackle who has started just five games and has been on the field for only 1,138 defensive snaps over three years. However, Wyatt has the most sacks of any Packers draft pick since 2020 with 12 over his career, with 5.5 in 2023 and another 5 in 2024. Furthermore, Overthecap lists 25 other defensive tackles as having contracts with a higher average annual compensation than the $13.922 million that Wyatt will earn on the option.
Given the Packers’ decision not to add a defensive tackle until round six of the 2025 NFL Draft, Wyatt is widely expected to be a full-time starter at the 3-technique spot for the coming season, with Kenny Clark likely moving back to nose tackle.
Stay tuned for news on the team’s decision on Walker sure to come in the next 24 hours or so.