Packers Trade for Franklin, Lose Walker

0:00This is Corey with NFL News Today, powered by the Daily News Now. Subscribe for daily updates on your team. The Green Bay Packers made a quick move by trading for veteran linebackers Zaire Franklin right before the new Lee Gear kicks off. This comes as free agent Quay Walker, their 2021 first round draft pick and upcoming team captain, heads for the exit after failing to. Agree on a new contract. Still tapering starts Monday, with the Lee Gear opening Tuesday afternoon, Walker could line up deals fast and cash in big time soon after. Packers brass clearly felt he was asking too much and pivoted to Franklin instead. Fans and analysts see this as a cap-savvy play, but it stings to lose a homegrown talent so early. Walker brings four years of solid play, much like Franklin has an Indianapolis where he also served as captain. The move saves Green Bay money long term. Green joins on a two-year deal with no guarantees, hitting the salary cap at about $7 million

1:01in 2026. Meanwhile, projections put Walker landing around 14 million per year elsewhere, similar to recent deals for other top linebackers. In the end, Packers could snag a fourth-round compensatory pick in 2027 for losing Walker, assuming no offsetting free agent sign, the risk, betting on a soon-to-be 30-year-old over their young star. The Daily News Now is powered by our sponsor, Link in the description. If earbuds fall out when you sleep, this is for you, a pillow with built-in sound, L.I. SoleyPillo.com