April 7, 2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Brian Gutekunst has pulled the trigger again, shipping linebacker Quay Walker—Green Bay’s former first-round disappointment—to a three-team trade that’s left Packers fans in an uproar. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter Monday that the 2022 No. 22 pick heads to the Carolina Panthers, with Green Bay snagging a 2025 fourth-rounder from Carolina and a 2026 sixth from the Chicago Bears, while the Bears land Panthers’ defensive end Amaré Barno.
Walker, 24, arrived with sky-high expectations from Georgia, but three seasons yielded middling results: a projected 102 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2024, down from his 121-tackle rookie year (Packers.com). His 54.6 PFF grade ranks 77th among 83 linebackers with 1,000+ snaps, plagued by shaky pass coverage (web ID: 23). “Green Bay gave me a shot, but I couldn’t find my groove,” Walker said via the Panthers’ site, hinting at a fresh start.
The trade unloads Walker’s $4.13 million 2025 cap hit, saving $2.77 million after $1.36 million in dead money (Over The Cap). Gutekunst, declining his fifth-year option last month, opted for picks over a fading asset. Edgerrin Cooper’s rise and Isaiah McDuffie’s reliability made Walker expendable in Jeff Hafley’s scheme.
Carolina, desperate for linebacker depth beyond an aging Jadeveon Clowney, sees Walker as a rotational piece. The Bears grab Barno—a 25-year-old with 2 sacks in 2024—to bolster their edge, while Green Bay banks draft capital for a Super Bowl push. “We’re building for now and later,” Gutekunst said.
Packers fans erupted online. Some hailed the move: “Finally dumped the bust—smart play!” Others fumed: “A fourth for a first-rounder? Gutekunst’s lost it!” The split reflects Walker’s tenure—flashes of promise drowned by inconsistency. His 2022 ejection for shoving a coach lingers as a lowlight (web ID: 15).
At 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, Walker’s athleticism (4.52 40-yard dash) still tantalizes. Panthers coach Dave Canales could unlock it, but Green Bay’s moved on. With $47 million in cap space post-Josh Jacobs’ restructure, Gutekunst eyes bigger fish—perhaps a draft trade-up for Michigan’s Mason Graham.
The three-team swap’s a calculated cut. Green Bay sheds a $12.86 million misfire, gaining flexibility. Carolina and Chicago tweak their edges. For Packers Nation, it’s a fiery debate—relief at ditching dead weight versus fury at the meager return.
