The Green Bay Packers had a very different future in mind when they signed David Bakhtiari to a massive four-year $92 million contract in 2020. At the time of the signing, Bakhtiari was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro well on his way to a Hall of Fame career. Making him one if the highest paid left tackles in the game only made sense.
But then Bakhtiari tore his ACL on New Years Eve in 2020. The injury very well have been one of the reasons Green Bay did not appear in the Super Bowl that year or in 2021. After missing the entire 2021 season (except for a few snaps in Week 17), Bakhtiari returned to play 11 games in 2022. After Week One of this past season, he went on season-ending injured reserve with a whole new knee injury.
The Green Bay Packers Have Decided to Part Ways with David Bakhtiari
The question of whether or not Bakhtiari would be back in 2024 seemed like it had an easy answer: he would not. By cutting him, the Packers may have a $19 million cap hit, but they also save nearly $21 million in cap space this offseason. Given their needs at safety and the number of quality players at that position on the market, they are sure to be in a spending mood.
That being said, Bakhtiari announced on his social media accounts today that his 11-year run with the Packers has come to an end:
A lot of emotion in this. I just want to say THANK YOU Green Bay. Thank you for the last 11 years. It’s been a hell of a run. I always wanted to raise a Lombardi on Lombardi avenue, but I will never complain. I gave it my all. I always gave it my best no matter the circumstance… pic.twitter.com/dnc7gkKSAC
— David Bakhtiari (@DavidBakhtiari) March 11, 2024
The announcement ends what will be considered one of the greatest “what-if’s” in franchise history. Bakhtiari will undoubtedly be elected to the team’s Hall of Fame, but as mentioned, the knee injuries ruined what was to be a Canton-worthy career.
What Will the Green Bay Packers Do at Left Tackle Now?
When Bakhtiari went down with his injury, Green Bay inserted 2022 seventh round pick Rasheed Walker in at left tackle. While Walker had ups and downs with the rest of the offense last season, he solidified his position as a quality NFL starter by the end of the season. Despite facing All-Pro pass rushers Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa in the postseason, Walker did not allow a sack.
With Bakhtiari gone and several other offensive linemen hitting free agency, there is little doubt that Brian Gutekunst will take a few linemen in this year’s NFL Draft. However, any of them taken will have an uphill battle to unseat Walker as the team’s starting left tackle.
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