What Do the Packers Do With David Bakhtiari?

The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line secured a place among PFF’s top-six units in pass-blocking, ranking among the top five teams with the fewest sacks allowed, even with All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari playing only one game in the season.

Rasheed Walker seamlessly filled Bakhtiari’s shoes, earning the second-highest pass-blocking grade among tackles in the 2022 draft class, allowing only four quarterback hits all season. On the other end, Zach Tom emerged as PFF’s sixth-highest-graded offensive lineman in run blocking in 2023, claiming the top run blocker title from his draft class in zone runs.

With Walker and Tom delivering starting-caliber performances, the Packers have a solid tackle duo until their contracts expire in 2025. However, a crucial decision looms as Bakhtiari, with injury concerns, enters a contract year next season.

Bakhtiari, facing a $40 million cap hit in 2024, has missed a significant number of games in the past three years. The Packers could save $20 million in cap space but incur a $19 million dead cap hit in cut-or-trade scenarios involving Bakhtiari. Restructuring his contract offers no savings, but a potential extension could provide up to $15 million in savings, contingent on absolute confidence in Bakhtiari’s health.

Considering a pay cut akin to Aaron Jones’ situation in 2023, the Packers could free up valuable cap space for potential signings in free agency and address extending Jordan Love. The best-case scenario involves Bakhtiari returning healthy, reshaping the offensive line and raising questions about Walker’s role.

If Bakhtiari stays healthy, Walker’s status becomes pivotal, potentially moving Tom to the bench unless shifted to guard. The uncertainty surrounding Bakhtiari’s availability might lead to different offensive line configurations, such as moving Tom to right tackle or considering Sean Rhyan at right guard.

Extending Bakhtiari’s contract beyond 2024 is an option, but his injury history adds a significant “if.” The Packers could face the dilemma of risking a substantial portion of their salary cap on an uncertain playing time. With nearly $3 million in cap space, extending Jordan Love, Kenny Clark, and previous draft class players becomes a priority for the Packers in 2024.

In a potential Bakhtiari trade, the Packers might fetch a Day 3 draft pick at best, given the uncertainty surrounding his availability. A reunion with Aaron Rodgers in New York could be on the cards, although playing home games on MetLife’s turf might be a consideration.

If an agreement on a pay cut is unattainable, and a trade is not feasible, releasing Bakhtiari becomes the likely scenario. Despite expressing his intention to return fully healthy, the Packers could potentially have three starting-caliber tackles if Bakhtiari’s recovery progresses as planned.

The Packers’ offensive line, a top-ten unit in pass protection despite Bakhtiari missing 16 games, could become the best pass-protecting line in the league if he returns to form next season.