Should Packers extend Quay Walker? Encouraging stats suggest quiet improvement

It has been hard to define the selection of Quay Walker in the first round back in 2022 as truly a success or a failure through three seasons, as he has become something of a polarizing player among the Green Bay Packers fanbase.

Even the Packers themselves seem unsure, with GM Brian Gutekunst declining his fifth-year option but indicating the club will look to secure a contract extension with Walker instead.

Perhaps a good way to cut through the debate is to take a look at the numbers. Here is Walker’s statistical profile since entering the league, looking at all three phases of linebacker play: run defense, pass coverage, and pass rush.

In terms of consistent strengths of Walker’s game,…