Green Bay Packers Could be Getting Top Defender Back Onto Practice Field 7 Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker (7) before action against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Packers’ front-seven defender emerging as impactful superstar

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 4:42 PM ET

The Packers added an elite, game-altering superstar into the front seven with the arrival of Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade this summer, that is already paying major dividends for Green Bay.

Parsons had his finest performance in a Packers uniform, logging a career-high three sacks in Sunday afternoon’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals, making plays that helped seal Green Bay’s victory and propel the Packers into first place in the NFC North.

However, Parsons isn’t the only defensive player who is emerging as a superstar, through the season’s first six games.

Packers LB Quay Walker in the midst of a breakout season

Last season, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper received All-Pro votes, as a rookie, and while he’s gotten off to a solid start, it’s another Packers linebacker who is making his presence felt early and often amid a breakout campaign, of sorts.

Over at the team’s official website, Wes Hodkiewicz argues that Quay Walker has been one of the Packers’ most impactful defenders, this season.

“Both [Quay] Walker and Edgerrin Cooper played great,” Hodkiewicz writes. “You ask about playing a more “attacking” style of defense, but Walker factored heavily into the pass-rush plan. He finished with three QB hits and 1½ sacks to go along with his team-high nine tackles. As Matt LaFleur said, Walker is having “a hell of a year” while directing Hafley’s defense. He’s everything you want in a middle linebacker.”

Walker certainly made his presence known against the Cardinals, finishing with 1.5 sacks and nine total tackles, but he’s become a model of consistency in the middle of the defense, all season long.

Through the first six games, Walker has produced 32 total tackles with 1.5 sacks while becoming a dominant weapon for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to deploy all over the field.

As the Packers’ defense continues to find its teeth, Walker is becoming a critical and disruptive piece of Green Bay’s success.

Green Bay Packers: Quay Walker Explains Important Ankle Surgery As He Races to Be Ready For Week 1 3 Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur approaches linebacker Quay Walker (7) after he was ejected from the game against the Detroit Lions during their football game Sunday, January 8, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Packvsdetroit 0108231993djp

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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