Former Georgia LB projected to sign $25M contract

The Green Bay Packers have to make a decision on former Georgia Bulldogslinebacker Quay Walker, who was a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Walker has been a consistent centerpiece of the Packers' defense for the first four seasons of his NFL career.

Walker is set to become an NFL free agent on March 11 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The Packers could reach a last-minute contract extension with Walker or let him walk and potentially get a compensatory pick in the 2027 NFL draft.

The Packers declined a fifth-year option on Walker and because of that he is able to be a free agent this offseason. Green Bay may not envision Walker as part of their future despite him posting impressive numbers year-in and year-out.

Spotrac projects that Walker will sign a three-year, $25 million contract in free agency. This number appears to be a little low for the veteran linebacker. Walker has posted at least 100 tackles, two pass deflections and 1 1/2 sacks in each of his four seasons in the NFL.

Yes, NFL teams are devaluing off-ball linebackers. Walker would be doing well to earn a three-year, $20 million contract after last offseason, when just three free agent off-ball linebackers (Cody Barton, Dre Greenlaw and Robert Spillane) reached those numbers. However, when comparing Walker to each of those players, he is younger than all of them and has had more consistent production than all of them.

Walker also has history of being healthy. Contracts also only get more and more lucrative every season, so we think Walker will command at least three years and $30 million.

Walker's production has been all the Packers could ask for. The former Georgia star has helped the Packers advance to the playoffs in three straight seasons with Green Bay having a top-12 scoring defense in each of those campaigns. Walker is destined to cash in via free agency. The only question is where will he end up. The New York Giants stand out as a potential destination for Walker after they released linebacker Bobby Okereke.

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Former Georgia first-round pick projected to sign $25M contract