For a while now, David Bakhtiari has been anticipated to be launched by the Packers. The All-Professional left deal with confirmed that’s the route being taken by Inexperienced Bay in a social media post on Monday.
This move has been expected for a while, as Bakhtiari’s physique has betrayed him over the course of the monster contract he signed through the 2020 season. A New Yr’s Eve knee damage sustained in observe that yr re-routed the All-Professional’s profession, and after extra knee bother got here in 2023, the Packers are rebooting at left deal with.
The Packers will save simply greater than $20M by chopping Bakhtiari, who was because of depend greater than $40M on Inexperienced Bay’s 2024 cap. Though no void years are current on this contract, previous restructures ballooned that 2024 whole. Bakhtiari was set to make $20.2M in 2024 base wage. A post-June 1 transfer would enhance the cap financial savings right here, dividing the $19.1M in lifeless cash over two offseasons. The Packers, nevertheless, took their medication on Aaron Rodgers in a single yr. They might effectively do the identical together with his longtime blindside protector.
Since that seminal knee damage, Bakhtiari has missed 39 regular-season video games and 5 playoff contests. He spent a lot of the 2021 season out of motion, solely returning for a handful of snaps in Week 18. Work in that meaningless contest led to Bakhtiari sitting within the Packers’ divisional-round follow-up, a loss to the 49ers. Bakhtiari returned to a excessive efficiency degree in 2022, taking part in 11 video games, however was solely capable of swimsuit up for one final season.
A five-time All-Professional (two first groups), Bakhtiari thrived after being a third-round Packers choose again in 2013. He was in uniform for 3 NFC championship video games. His absence towards the Buccaneers in 2020 grew to become obvious, as Tampa Bay’s edge rushers teed off on Rodgers within the second half that day. Bakhtiari nonetheless did effectively to gather a four-year, $92M extension weeks earlier than his knee damage in 2020. The Packers, sadly, didn’t get a lot from that funding.
Inexperienced Bay primarily used Rasheed Walker in Bakhtiari’s place final season, preserving former sub Elgton Jenkins entrenched at guard. Professional Soccer Focus ranked Walker forty fourth amongst tackles final season. The previous seventh-round choose may definitely be an possibility, however it could additionally make sense for the workforce to make a much bigger funding — maybe in a tackle-rich draft — to succeed Bakhtiari, who can be going into his age-33 season. Regardless of 5 knee surgical procedures, the embellished left deal with had not indicated he was making ready a retirement. The Jets may very well be in play for Bakhtiari, however it could be with the understanding he would compete for the LT role slightly than being handed the gig.