Patriots, Giants, Chiefs, Browns rumor could lead to bidding war over $81M free agent

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The New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns are all reportedly willing to spend big on a high-profile free agent.

According to Easton Butler of Packers Report, those four teams are "willing to break the bank" for Green Bay Packers pending free agent left tackle Rasheed Walker, who is projected by Spotrac to land a four-year, $81 million contract.

"There are 4 teams willing to break the bank for pending FA OT Rasheed Walker, per source: The Patriots, Chiefs, Giants and Browns," Butler reported.

Walker is among the most high-profile pending free agents and the expectation is the Packers are going to let him walk.

He isn't elite by any stretch, but Walker is an above-average starting left tackle and that's all it takes for an offensive lineman to cash in on the open market. It's very possible there could be a bidding war for his services as a result.

In 2025, Walker had a 70 Pro Football Focus grade in pass protection while giving up five sacks and 34 pressures. He wasn't as strong in run-blocking, though, with Walker posting a lackluster 55.4 grade in that area.

It's odd to see the Patriots included in this report, as New England figures to be set at their tackle spots with Will Campbell on the left side and Morgan Moses on the right.

The only way we could see the Patriots make this signing is if they cut Moses, which doesn't seem likely after he proved to be a major bargain in 2025.

The Chiefs are another odd team to see mentioned by Butler.

Sure, they are going to cut Jawaan Taylor, but Kansas City still has two capable starting tackles in Jaylon Moore and Josh Simmons under contract.

The Giants are a more logical suitor than the Chiefs and Patriots, as they may have a need at right tackle with Jermaine Eluemunor being a pending free agent.

That said, we believe New York would prefer to keep him rather than spending big on Walker, who hasn't played a single snap at right tackle during his career.

Cleveland no doubt has the most dire need at tackle.

Both of their starting tackles from last season, Jack Conklin and Cam Robinson, are pending free agents, as is backup tackle Cornelius Lucas, who was recently cut.

The Browns did acquire right tackle Tytus Howard in a trade with the Houston Texans, so that spot is locked up, but Cleveland still needs a left tackle.

If we had to choose between these four teams, we'd say the Browns are the most likely landing spot for Walker. We'd rank the Giants second, and then put a huge gap between New York and the Chiefs and Patriots.

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