2022 NFL Draft: Contract details released for Quay Walker, Green Bay Packers

Former Georgia linebacker Quay Walker was selected 22nd overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers with their first pick of the draft. Now, contract details for the incoming NFL rookie show just how much his hard work has paid off for him.

According to Spotrac, Walker is set to sign a four-year contract with Green Bay for $13.8 million. The contract includes a $7.2 million guaranteed signing bonus for the rookie, and a fifth-year team option. The Packers will see $2.5 million of his contract as a cap hit for the 2022 NFL season.

Quay Walker’s rookie deal with Packers

Walker was a standout player with the Bulldogs and helped lead Georgia’s championship-winning defense alongside Nakobe Dean. Walker and Georgia won it all and ended a championship drought that was over four decades long when they defeated Alabama in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Walker himself contributed eight tackles in the win.

The Packers are hoping Walker will develop into one of the best linebackers in the NFL, as he continued to improve throughout his time with Georgia. Over four seasons, Walker tallied 125 total tackles and five sacks on their stellar defense. The Packers selected Quay Walker with their first available pick of the draft but used another first-round pick on Walker’s teammate, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, with the 28th overall pick.

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A former five-star recruit in the class of 2018, Walker was the No. 3 linebacker in the nation per the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. Walker played his high school football at Crisp County in Cordele, Georgia. Continuing, Walker joined the Bulldogs as one of the top recruits in the entire nation, ranking No. 25 overall in On3’s 2018 Consensus Top Football Recruits rankings. Even with immense competition at the linebacker position at Georgia, Walker made an undeniable impact.

More on Walker

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com broke down ahead of the draft what Quay Walker can bring to the Packers in his scouting of the linebacker’s pre-draft profile. The analyst believes some of the Georgia product’s strengths include his instincts and confidence, while his weaknesses include some tightness in his hips and his playing strength not always matching Walker’s size.

“Walker had to wait his turn at Georgia, but he has become a well-schooled, instinctive linebacker ready for the NFL game,” started Zierlein. “He has good size and clear eyes from the second level, with a talent for recognizing play design. He plays disciplined, team-oriented football but is unlikely to become a top-level playmaker as a pro. His chase speed and body control are just average when ranging to tackle or covering in space.

“Walker is dependable and consistent and projects as a good backup with eventual starter potential at inside linebacker.”