Packers Players That Will Need To Get Paid

The Packers have their own guys they have to worry about. For a quick recap on recent Packers extensions, check this article out here.

There are several players on the roster whose contracts will expire after 2025, and others who have their guarantees set to run out.

These are some of the Packers players who will need to get paid.

Packers With Expiring Rookie Contracts

Specifically, we are looking at the 2022 draft class as this is the class with expiring contracts after 2025. Because of that, these are the guys with biggest need for contract extensions. Let’s take a look at the 2022 draft class:

Quay Walker

Quay has been pretty hit and miss on the field but has shown a great deal of explosiveness on the field and potential to be great. Being a first round selection, Walker could have received the fifth-year option but because of his inconsistencies and because his option was lumped together with edge defenders, he was not given that fifth-year option. This means that, if given the fifth-year option, Walker would have been paid like one of the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL. That couldn’t happen.

Don’t expect a Walker extension any time soon. The Packers are likely looking at 2025 as a final prove-it year. If he does “prove it” then I can see something along the lines of 4-year, $60M extension ($15M AAV, $25M–$30M guaranteed).

Devonte Wyatt

Wyatt has been seemingly getting better and better but still hasn’t shown enough consistency. Let’s hope that changes this year, however, there is no rush to sign Wyatt to a contract extension as he was given his fifth-year option.

Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs

The need to extend either guy currently is not an absolute immediate need. The Packers probably can afford to wait until after the 2025 season to make a decision on these two wideouts. I believe a lot will be determined based on what happens this year. Personally, I believe a Christian Watson extension is a little more likely. He is so unique in his skill set and his contract could be a bit lower due to his recent injury history.

Romeo Doubs could prove to be consistent enough this year to command a contract extension. If the Packers choose to extend Doubs, I could see him receiving a larger contract than that of Watson due to Watson’s injury history.

The Packers could look to resign both of them, but with what many would call a crowded wide receiver room, that looks doubtful. It’s probably more likely that they don’t extend either one of them.

Sean Rhyan

Rhyan has done fairly well for the Packers but I think he might be priced out of the Packers range. Sean Rhyan might look at free agency and believe he could get more. And he’s right.

Zach Tom

Zach Tom will get paid! Should have been paid yesterday, and the day before that. And the day before that! Tom is a top right tackle in the NFL and will likely receive an extension leading up to or during training camp. It’ll be a big contract extension too. He is likely to compete with Penei Sewell’s right tackle contract but is likely going to be just under that.

Look for something like a 4-year, $84M extension. It could be even more if Tom’s camp works to get closer to Sewell’s 4 year, $112M extension.

The Rest of the 2022 Packers Draft Class

The only one with a chance to receive an extension would be Rasheed Walker, who is in a competition at left tackle with 1st round pick Jordan Morgan. Walker is likely in a similar situation as Sean Rhyan where he will be in a better position in free agency.

Kingsley Enagbare could receive a small extension to keep him around a little longer if things work out in 2025 but as mentioned before, the cap limits what the Packers can do.

Packers Non-2022 Draft Class Extension Candidates

Elgton Jenkins- Jenkins will be the Packers new starting center in 2025. However, due to the position change and the lack of guarantees, Jenkins is looking for a new contract. Elgton Jenkins probably feels like there is no safety net for him next season and understands that this is his only chance to negotiate for an extension. But, with two years remaining on his contract, the Packers hold leverage.

The Packers could very well pay him to show him support as the team’s new center.

Malik Willis- The Packers might want to try and extend Willis just for a bit longer to back up Love. They don’t have a viable replacement plan behind Willis at this point in time.

Daniel Whelan- The Green Bay punter might be in line to receive a contract extension. I no longer have mini heart attacks when the punt unit comes out. Please extend him.

Not all of these guys will receive extensions from the Packers. Some will not be a part of the team in 2026. There are also some will likely look for an extension even sooner due to guarantees running out.

All of this to say: just because the Packers have a ton of available cap space currently doesn’t mean a lot in the long run. That money, for all intents and purposes, is no more.

Oh – and pay Zach Tom!

Go Pack Go!