Packers connected to rare draft capital strategy in new intel, but actually pulling it off feels unlikely
Rasheed Walker is set to hit free agency.
Historically, the Green Bay Packers are not big fans of the franchise tag tool. Even though it’s necessary sometimes, the impact is severe — both mentally, because it stresses the relationship between the front office and the player, and financially, because the entire salary hits the cap in the current year.
From the 2026 free agent class, there isn’t a name that jumps as a franchise tag possibility, but CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reported that left tackle Rasheed Walker could be a tag-and-trade candidate.
“A long-shot option here is Packers tackle Rasheed Walker, but only in a tag-and-trade scenario,” Jones wrote. “The tackle market — in free agency and the draft — is thin, so Green Bay could try to recoup draft capital lost to Dallas. Still, the Packers are typically conservative spenders, and that’s a hefty number for GM Brian Gutekunst.
“I don’t feel like Gutey is motivated enough to tag Rasheed,” one league source said. “Finding a partner at that number is tough, but it’s possible.” Unless there’s a deal in place, this won’t happen.”
This is a highly unlikely scenario
It’s ultimately implausible for the Packers to use this tool. The franchise tag number for offensive linemen is projected to be around $28 million, and that’s simply too much money for Walker.
First, because the entire amount would hit the Packers’ salary cap at once — so Green Bay would have to open cap space to absorb the tag between the signing and the official trade.
Second, because it’s hard to foresee any team being willing to pay a draft capital compensation to the Packers, plus Walker’s salary — which would include the tag value and a potential new money from an extension.
It’s much easier and more practical to allow Walker to leave in free agency and get a compensatory pick in 2027 — unless the Packers are planning on being active in free agency, which is also unlikely due to the team’s cap constraints.
The Packers have already used the tag-and-trade strategy twice in history. Most recently, the team received first- and second-round picks from the Las Vegas Raiders for Davante Adams back in 2022. In 2008, the Packers had done the same with defensive lineman Corey Williams, traded to the Cleveland Browns for a second-rounder.
The Packers used the franchise tag to actually reach extensions with players with running back Dorsey Levens in 1998, wide receiver Antonio Freeman in 1999, and defensive lineman Ryan Pickett in 2010.
This offseason, the window to apply the franchise or transition tag on players goes between Feb. 17 and March 3.
Rasheed Walker was originally a seventh-round pick in 2022. He started the past three seasons at left tackle for Green Bay.
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