Chiefs and Patriots rumor could lead to bidding war for Packers $81 million free agent

Chiefs and Patriots rumor could lead to bidding war for Packers $81 million free agent originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Green Bay Packers may lose offensive tackle Rasheed Walker to an AFC contender in free agency.

According to SportsBoom's Jason La Canfora, the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots are expected to show interest in Walker if he hits the open market.

La Canfora adds that Walker will be one of the hottest names on the market this offseason:

Walker makes sense [for the Chiefs]. He has the size (6-foot-6) they want on the edge. Then he can go skill guys on day one and day two (of the draft). They need more speed and twitch at receiver, tight end, running back," an NFL gm said to La Canfora.

Another GM noted the Patriots, off a surprising Super Bowl run, as a potential suitor for Walker as well, with rookie Will Campbell struggling in the second half of his rookie season and perhaps being a better fit on the right side," La Canfora said.

Regardless of where he lands, Walker will have multiple offers to sort through and is one of the hottest names at the annual scouting combine as agents and teams meet to formulate offseason plans. 

Walker has started 48 games over the last three seasons for Green Bay, and though he has struggled at times, he's been a solid starter on the Packers' offensive line and incredibly reliable.

The 26-year-old hasn't missed a game in three years and ended the 2025 campaign on a high note, not allowing a sack in the final four contests, including Green Bay's wild-card loss to the Chicago Bears.

Spotrac projects Walker will land a $81 million over four years, which would be an average annual value of $20.3 million. That is a steep price, but Walker does play one of the most vital positions in football and is an ascending player.

New England invested the No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft on left tackle Will Campbell, so it wouldn't make much sense to sign Walker to a lucrative deal. Walker could slide in and play right tackle, but Morgan Moses is still under contract for a few years.

However, Kansas City could be a potential landing spot, as the franchise could be looking for an upgrade over Josh Simmons at left tackle. Additionally, protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes must be a priority this offseason as he works his way back from knee surgery.

We'll see where Walker lands, but there's no denying he'll have a competitive market, and it'll be tough for the Packers to retain their starting left tackle.