• The Packers declined Quay Walker's fifth-year option due to its high cost ($14.751 million), influenced by edge rusher salaries.
• Green Bay exercised Devonte Wyatt's fifth-year option for 2026 at a cost of $12.938 million, ensuring his presence through that season.
• Despite declining Walker's option, the Packers aim to negotiate a long-term contract extension with him, valuing his role in the defense.

The Green Bay Packers faced a deadline to decide on the fifth-year options for their 2022 first-round draft picks, Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt. They chose to exercise Wyatt's option, securing him for the 2026 season at a guaranteed salary. However, they declined Walker's option due to its high cost, which is calculated based on a combination of inside linebackers and edge rushers, making it financially unattractive. Despite this, the Packers have expressed a strong desire to keep Walker long-term and plan to negotiate a contract extension with him.

• What: The Green Bay Packers made decisions regarding the fifth-year options for their 2022 first-round draft picks, declining Quay Walker's option but exercising Devonte Wyatt's. They still intend to sign Walker to a long-term extension.
• Who: Key individuals include Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Brian Gutekunst (Packers General Manager), and Jeff Hafley (defensive coordinator).
• When: The decisions were made by the May 1st deadline for exercising fifth-year options. The contract extension for Walker would need to be agreed upon before March 2026.
• Where: The events concern the Green Bay Packers organization and its players in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The Packers' decision to decline Walker's fifth-year option is primarily a financial one, driven by the NFL's formula for calculating the option value for linebackers, which includes edge rushers' salaries. This inflated the cost, making it less attractive for the team to exercise the option. However, the team's commitment to signing Walker to a long-term extension indicates his importance to their defense. Wyatt's option was exercised due to a more reasonable cost. Both players are seen as integral parts of the team's future, especially with changes in the defensive system and personnel.

"For both those guys, whatever mechanism we use, we'd like to keep those guys around for '26 and beyond. So whether that's through doing the fifth-year option on these guys or extending them one way or the other, we're planning to do that, we'd like to do that."

"Quay continued to make a leap, and another guy who had struggled through injuries at the end of the year, but he was really impactful for us this year. Continues to be a great leader for us. Certainly think we would love to have him around here for longer than just a couple years. He's that kind of guy."

"[Wyatt] was probably our most consistent pass rusher from the inside this year."

"Anytime I can play without doing any thinking... See it, (and) go, I can be a real, real productive player."

The Packers' decisions regarding Walker and Wyatt reflect a balance between financial prudence and valuing key players. While Walker's expensive fifth-year option was declined, the team is committed to securing him long-term, recognizing his importance to the defense. Wyatt's option was exercised, solidifying his place in the team. The coming months will be critical in determining the future of Walker's contract and his long-term role with the Packers.