The Carolina Panthers scored big in free agency with former Penn State offensive lineman Rasheed Walker. Walker signed a one-year contract with the Panthers on Friday, per NFL Network Insiders' sources, that's worth up to $10 million.
The Eagles need this former Penn State DE to dominate the pass rush
Walker enters year five of his NFL career in 2026, leaving Green Bay as a free agent. The Packers drafted the former Nittany Lion in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, going 249th overall.
Since 2022, Green Bay molded Walker into a starting left tackle He made one game appearance as a rookie and, from there, logged offensive snaps in every contest beginning in 2023. He played in 52 games, starting in 48 over his career as a Packer.
He was the best available left tackle in 2026 free agency.
Carolina Panthers sign free agent and former Green bay Packer left tackle Rasheed Walker to one-year deal
Walker was one of the best remaining players overall as well, originally ranked 19th among free agents on NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal's list.
"A seventh-round pick in 2022, Walker kept fending off challengers for his bookend spot in Green Bay," Rosenthal wrote. "He’s probably league average as a starting left tackle, which is worth plenty."
Carolina suffered numerous injuries on its offensive line, including left tackle Ikem Ekwonu who sustained a ruptured patellar tendon in the AFC Wild Card Round.
This gives Walker a fighting chance to compete for that starting tackle role if Ekwonu is back, but it also gives the Panthers a reliable and suitable option if Ekwonu is not recovered in time for 2026.
Walker logged a 93.8 percent pass block win rate, proving his productivity. This was good for 11th-best among NFL tackles in 2025.
As for Green Bay, it sustains yet another major loss. Defensive lineman Rashan Gary, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, and linebacker Quay Walker all left as free agents.
Walker spent four seasons at Penn State (2018-21) in the trenches. He played in 35 games for the Nittany Lions. Like he did with the Packers, Walker worked his way into the starting role in Happy Valley after his first season, which he redshirted in 2018.