The Green Bay Packers enjoyed a relatively quiet free agency period this offseason without many key players departing. Everything will soon change.

General manager Brian Gutekunst must already prepare for which of Green Bay’s 2026 free agents to retain, a list that includes starting tackles Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom, linebacker Quay Walker, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, and wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.

Gutekunst provided some early clues this week, revealing that the Packers are working on a long-term extension with star right tackle Zach Tom.

“We’ve had really healthy conversations with Zach about locking him up and, certainly, that’s something we’d like to do,” Gutekunst told Cheesehead TV. “These things take time and they never happen very quickly. Obviously, he’s been a really good player for us since the time he got here, done everything right by us, and we’d certainly love to make that happen.”

That’s the easy part. Tom is among the best players at his position, and he’ll inevitably land a long-term extension. But what does it mean for left tackle Rasheed Walker?

It feels like a long shot for the Packers to pay premium money to both tackles. The writing may be on the wall for the former seventh-round pick.

Brian Gutekunst may have inadvertently revealed Rasheed Walker’s future with Packers

Maybe the Packers can find a way to keep both tackles, but that’s a tall order. Gutekunst also made it clear he wants to re-sign Quay Walker, and let’s not forget that both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are free agents. There’s a good chance that at least one of the pass-catchers will return.

It’s hard to find quality starting tackles, and the Packers have two.

Walker could undoubtedly land a massive new deal elsewhere. This past offseason, the Tennessee Titans handed Dan Moore a four-year deal worth $82 million. Per Pro Football Focus, Moore allowed 12 sacks last year. Twelve. Not a typo.

Walker allowed only three and has proven himself as a quality, consistent pass-protector.

The Packers have also invested heavily at the tackle position in the past two draft classes, using first- and second-round picks on Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton, respectively.

Matt LaFleur made it clear early in the offseason that Morgan would compete with Walker for the left tackle job this summer, and the second-year pro has received his share of first-team reps already.

It’s an open competition at left tackle, again providing evidence that Walker likely isn’t in the team’s long-term plans.

The NFL is a tough business. Green Bay would love to have Walker back, and you can truly never have too many talented offensive linemen. Walker has provided steady play at the most important position along the line.

However, when considering the Packers’ lengthy list of upcoming free agents and the soaring price it costs to retain talented tackles, his departure feels inevitable.

Gutekunst confirmed the obvious that they are working on a new deal for Tom. Unless they can get creative and find a way to add two blockbuster tackle contracts to their 2026 books, there’s a good chance Gutekunst accidentally revealed Waker’s fate.