The Green Bay Packers face a difficult decision regarding the status of offensive tackle David Bakhtiari. The veteran linebacker’s 2024 contract significantly increases the team’s cap space, and his health over the past three seasons provides options for the front office.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst discussed Bakhtiari’s contract this week amid speculation the team would fire him. He joined the team after they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft and was the only rookie to start at left tackle that year.
Deciding to break up to save money may not be an easy choice. “We’re still in the early stages of how we’re going to go about this,” Gutekunst said. “Obviously David has had a very difficult time with the injury. He’s had very serious surgery and he’s trying to get back to where he can play again. We will continue to follow him. I know he’s worried. Once we get on the road and make sure he’s healthy, we’ll make that decision.The Packers have a tough decision to make regarding Bakhtiari.
Bakhtiari, now 32, will make more than $40 million through the 2024 season. Green Bay could save at least half of that by letting him go before the season starts. He signed a four-year, $105.5 million contract extension in November 2020, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history at the time. Bakhtiari has played in just 13 games since suffering a torn ACL in December 2020.
After appearing in 11 games last season, Bakhtiari returned to left tackle for the 38-20 Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears. Bakhtiari looked like his All-Pro self in the win, but his knee was swollen the next day. The Packers placed him on injured reserve on September 28. In October, Reiner learned he would need another major surgery. It was a tough pill to swallow, but his recovery program allowed him to still be in training camp this summer.
“On a human level, it was stressful and time-consuming,” Bakhtiari said. “But what is clear is that we are doing a good job and we know what the problem is. And we can solve the problem. In my opinion, this is half the story. “So here we are. This is a pill I have to swallow.The Packers haven’t drafted an offensive lineman in the first two rounds of the NFL draft in several years, but that could change if they want to protect Jordan Love next season.
