David Bakhtiari’s Future in Green Bay Now a Huge Question Mark
By GilMartin
David Bakhtiari addressed the media on Friday and confirmed that he will not be returning to the field for the rest of this season. The former All Pro left tackle had surgery on his injured knee earlier this week and will have another procedure which will be more invasive shortly. The goal for Bakhtiari is to play again in 2024.
The big question is whether that will be with the Green Bay Packers. Bakhtiari is under contract for next season but there is no way the Packers will allow him to play under his current deal which calls for a cap hit of more than $40.5 million.
The former Colorado star has been a cornerstone of the Packers since they selected him in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He earned a starting job as a rookie and protected Aaron Rodgers’ blind side at an elite level for the first eight seasons of his career.
Bakhtiari earned three Pro Bowl berths and was named All Pro twice. Scouts and coaches considered him the best pass blocking offensive tackle in the league. His run blocking was also strong.
Bakhtiari was also healthy for those eight seasons. He missed only two games in 2015 and four in 2017. In his first eight years in the NFL, he never played fewer than 12 games in a season and played in all 16 contests five times.
But things all changed before the season finale of the 2020 season. Bakhtiari injured his knee and missed the last regular season game and the playoffs. His absence may have cost the Packers a win over the Tampa Bay Bucs in the NFC Championship Game, a contest the Pack was favored to win at home.
Since then, Bakhtiari has struggled to get back on the field. Complications from the knee injury cost him nearly the entire 2021 season. He had additional surgeries to try to clean up the knee injury. Bakhtiari managed to play one half of the season finale in Detroit but then missed the playoff game against San Francisco two weeks later.
The knee continued to hamper him early in the 2022 season. He missed the first two games entirely and then played only part of games in Weeks 3 and 5 before missing Week 7 altogether.
Later in the season, Bakhtiari missed four games because of an emergency appendectomy. The tough and determined left tackle managed to return to the lineup for the final two regular season games as the Packers fought in vain for a playoff spot.
The amazing thing was that despite almost never being able to practice and missing so much time, Bakhtiari continued to play at a very high level whenever he was in the lineup. He remained an elite pass blocker and a good run blocker and did not allow a sack according to Pro Football Focus.
This season, Bakhtiari did not play in the preseason and hardly practiced with the team but still appeared in the season opener and played exceptionally well. But the knee swelled up with fluid and now he has been shut down for the season.
Bakhtiari hasn’t only been a great Packer on the field, he’s been a part of the community. Bakh has been popular with his teammates and with fans. The sight of him chugging beers at Bucks games was iconic. When he and wife Frankie had their first child last December, the fan base was excited and supportive.
It is clear Bakhtiari wants to continue his NFL career next season. Nobody questions his talent, his toughness, or his heart. The question is whether his knee can be repaired enough that he can return to action and play at the high level he’s been accustomed to.
Then the question is whether he fits into the Packers plans. There is almost no chance Bakhtiari returns to the Packers his present deal that carries such a high cap hit. So, the question is does he renegotiate a new deal with the Packers, or do they let him go?
When asked about his future with the Packers, Bakhtiari said, “I think you can ask him [GM Brian Gutekunst] that. I know I have one more year left and I think for me, I’m just trying to make sure that I attack this rehab, get done with everything, making sure it’s behind me. I think the number one thing is just proving the health. I don’t think the heart, the preparation, or skill was ever in question. It’s the availability and the health part has been the constant question for over a year. For me, if we can cure that answer, I don’t see much of a problem with anything else.”
Does Bakhtiari still fit into the Packers plans next season? If healthy, he could give Jordan Love excellent protection on his blind side. He could also provide a very young roster with some badly needed veteran leadership. But his ability to return from yet another surgery and to play at a high level after playing only 13 games total over the past three seasons will remain an unknown until he proves he can do it.
Does Gutekunst look to reach a new deal with Bakhtiari, or does he look to move on? It’s doubtful he’d command much in a trade when you consider his age and his injury history. Any team considering a trade would almost certainly demand to reach an agreement on a new contract first.
Regardless of what happens next in Bakhtiari’s football career I wish him well. Before his injury, he had a real chance to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with a few more Pro Bowl seasons. Even if he never plays another game in a Packers uniform, he is already a shoo-in for the Packers Hall of Fame and will be remembered as a great Packer. Hopefully, his injury luck will change soon.
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Comments (64)
splitpea1
October 07, 2023 at 11:29 am
Please move on from this never-ending saga and continue the rebuild.
A very good class of tackles will be available come draft time, and I would be shocked if the Packers didn't select one relatively high in addition to a pair of solid IOL prospects. We need so much help upfront.
jannesbjornson
October 07, 2023 at 11:57 am
OT should be the One pick. Guard, or Center the two pick and see if they can manage not to screw up a safety selection with the other two pick. UDFA and fill-ins do not make for a solid wall of protection for Love. Hell, add another guy from round four. Ted and Reggie are gone, find their replacements.
Turophile
October 08, 2023 at 01:53 pm
I did my first PFN mock (5 rounds) a couple of days back, and due to your comment, I'll repost it here.
1 OT J.C.Latham (Alabama) 6'6", 326. Bakhtiari may be finished and the Packers won't pay his huge cap figure next year. Latham has the size and feet to be very good as a pass blocker and the size to move people when run blocking. Love should appreciate having a top guy at LT, which is likely Zach Tom, moving there from playing RT this year, allowing Latham to use his powerful build on the right side. Rasheed Walker isn't a bad LT but an upgrade there would mean having a talented guy as a backup (I'm assuming Yosh Nijman is gone in his contract year)
2a C Cedric Van Pran (Georgia) 6'4", 310 lbs. The Packers O line needs to be better at run blocking. Van Pran could be an upgrade over the disappointing Myers (also a 2nd round pick). A physical run-blocking mauler with the smarts to make the line calls and a good pass protector as well.
2b S Cole Bishop (Utah) 6'2", 206 lbs, 4.50 40. Fluid, consistent, instinctive. Packers need another good safety. There was a guy rated higher on the board, but he was 185lbs and the Packers like them bigger than that.
3 DT McKinnley Jackson (Texas A&M) 6'2", 325 lbs. Bowling ball build with exciting speed off the snap. Sees the backfield well. Good run-stopper. The Packers must stop the run better, so he fills a real need.
4 TE Cade Stover (Ohio State) 6'4", 255. One of the top two blocking TEs in this class. Has mid 4.5 speed. Switched between linebacker and TE in college, so probably needs a season or so to hit his full potential.
5 RB Marshawn Lloyd (USC) 5'9", 212. A real weight room guy. Very good breaking tackles, decent as a blocker, runs low and quick. Capable as a receiver.
13TimeChamps
October 08, 2023 at 02:06 pm
Two things we should never see in October:
1. Christmas decorations.
2. NFL mock drafts.
Turophile
October 08, 2023 at 06:35 pm
We are in October. Many online mock drafts have been posted before I did mine.
Is the big board people use for drafting accurate at this time of year ? Not especially, although it does give a vague idea. None of that means a jot though, because making your own mock is fun. If others like it, so much the better - and if they don't, no need to read through it.
One thing making mocks IS good for, is you get a feel for depth at various position groups. For example, take the guard position. In the top 150 players overall, the guard prospects (at the PFN mock) are rated at draft positions 24,34,76,104, 109,119,130,135,147. Now maybe a couple of these move a bit, up or down, but now I can be fairly confident that there isn't likely to be a bargain to be had at guard in the first three rounds (just one prospect listed in each of those first three rounds). Sure, a guard MIGHT drop in to your lap earlier, but it is unlikely and premium picks are often needed more elsewhere.
However, once you hit round four there are several prospects, so you can adopt a strategy before the (real) draft where you start looking at guard prospects from round 4 onwards.
Now take receivers and do the same thing. You will find a whole bunch of receivers between the last pick in round two and the last pick in round three (including comps). 5 or 6 according to PFN, so there is the hot spot for receivers. There are more receivers available early than at the guard position (6 in the first two rounds if you discount the last pick in round 2), which is not surprising at that position, but you can also keep a good eye out for a WR in round three as there will be a choice of several.
13TimeChamps
October 08, 2023 at 07:18 pm
"If others like it, so much the better - and if they don't, no need to read through it."
It was a lighthearted jab on how folks put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving or even before Halloween. Nothing personal...relax.
Thanks for your research and input.
Rarescope
October 08, 2023 at 08:31 pm
Two things we should never see in October:
1. Christmas decorations.
2. Long winded explanations of far too early NFL mock drafts.
SoCalJim
October 08, 2023 at 07:17 pm
I expressed this past off-season that was it was time to move on from Bakhtiari.
Money/cap, age, and health were all on the negative side (move on) of the ledger. His skill and questions about the quality of LT depth were on the positive side (keep him). It’s bad luck that he’s done for this season. I sure hope we can field an OLine that’ll be good enough to protect J Love and enable a decent running game.
Leatherhead
October 07, 2023 at 11:42 am
Yeah, I think he's done. Bad side of 30, injury history, etc. We got one season for all that money. Walker is our starting LT.
Coldworld
October 07, 2023 at 01:50 pm
For me, Tom might be the future LT, if he ends up staying as a T.
Leatherhead
October 07, 2023 at 02:29 pm
He's a versatile guy, no doubt. I think the Packers are going to have to decide after the season what they'd like their 2024 line to look like, and how Tom fits into that.
We could end up taking an OT early, like we did with Bulaga and Sherrod and Spriggs. That's a long way away... Right now, Tom is playing and practicing at RT and he's doing a solid job. In fact, the entire projected starting Oline looks like it might be together in this game, and relatively healthy.
This is why you need 9 reliable, starting quality Offensive linemen on that 53. Projects are great, but that #9 guy ends up starting games for us, maybe even playoff games. It's not enough to say "Our starters are OK and we have one or two decent backups". That's the kind of stuff that puts Newman on the field next to a guy already needs help.
Bitternotsour
October 07, 2023 at 06:36 pm
I am and have always been in awe of David Bakhtiari. His get off on the line has set the standard for NFL left tackles, and even though he has been handsomely compensated, I truly appreciate that he gave his knee to the organization. He was a great Packer, a cool guy, and a winner from day one.
dobber
October 07, 2023 at 12:16 pm
He wasn't back in 2024 either way.
Since'75
October 07, 2023 at 01:04 pm
I think this story goes deeper than his arthroscopic surgery and being put on the shelf, and his career here questioned.
I 'think' that Bakh and the Packers have some tension behind the door between themselves. David spoke his mind about some things in the off season that i don't think sat well with the Packer brass.
It's not hard to imagine, especially with the history of tensions between some high profile players and the Packers in the past toward the end of their careers.
My guess is the Packers aren't highly skilled when it comes to communications between their star players and exercising respectful tact.
Well....it's more based on history than a guess, as i gave it some thought.
TarynsEyes
October 07, 2023 at 01:22 pm
The vocal message or the writing is always communicated, it's just a matter which party or both refuse to acknowledge or accept it.
This has been plainly relevant here at CHTV often enough by posters, and its writers.
Since'75
October 07, 2023 at 02:34 pm
Well....huh?
LeotisHarris
October 07, 2023 at 04:52 pm
Please allow me, Since'75. I'm fluent in Taryn.
Taryn suggests that when someone speaks or writes a message, the message itself is always conveyed or transmitted. However, whether the message is understood, acknowledged, or accepted depends on the willingness of the parties involved.
In other words, communication happens when someone expresses themselves verbally or in writing, but successful communication requires both the sender (the person conveying the message) and the receiver (the person receiving the message) to be open to understanding and accepting the message. If either party is resistant or unwilling to acknowledge or accept the message, effective communication may break down, leading to misunderstandings or conflicts. This statement highlights the importance of both parties being receptive and open in the communication process for it to be successful.
Taryn goes on to take a metaphoric swing at her adversaries here at CHTV, those blind optimists who turn their backs on her wisdom and keen eye for reality. She posits that this particular subject has been consistently discussed by both the community members and the official writers at CHTV. She states it to be plainly relevant. That means something is clearly and directly related or applicable to a particular topic, situation, or context. It indicates that there is no ambiguity or confusion regarding its connection or importance in a given context.
TarynsEyes
October 07, 2023 at 05:37 pm
Seriously, it takes this much to translate what didn't need translation. Yikes.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
October 08, 2023 at 08:14 am
I really enjoyed your response Leotis!
mnbadger
October 08, 2023 at 11:08 am
leotis, your complete and thoughtful response is fitting for anybody that ever complains about communication problems.
I've recently been forced to revisit this definition in my professional life.
Trust and understanding cannot be achieved without clear and open communication as you've described it.
If Bakh and the FO are communicating properly, each party can accept other's criticism then work toward a solution.
That's all we can ask.
GPG!
Since'75
October 10, 2023 at 07:23 am
Thanks Leotis.
"The vocal message or the writing is always communicated, it's just a matter which party or both refuse to acknowledge ......"
Oh shut the **** up, it's a football forum.
Bitternotsour
October 07, 2023 at 03:53 pm
and you think this, why? do you know a player that has issues with the Packs communication, are you privy to front office communications staff?
players at the end of their careers kind of have an axe to grind. Bakh signed a third contract, he could have opted out and gone anywhere. Brett Favre is a douche nozzle. Aaron signed a 3rd contract despite having gone over to the dark side.
aaron jones seems to be pretty happy, which will stop when they release him.
bakhtiari tried his best to get well. his knee failed him, this next surgery will be the 4th on that knee. is that a communication issue, i mean c'mon.
Bitternotsour
October 07, 2023 at 06:22 pm
https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.raiders.com/video/...
Since'75
October 10, 2023 at 07:43 am
Ok Bitter....lol
You think Davante Adams had no problems with Packer management?
You think he had a chance of staying with the Packers before he went to the Raiders?
You believe in the Easter Bunny?
Since'75
October 10, 2023 at 07:38 am
Gee Bitter.....
Could it have started with the way they disrespected and insulted Jordy Nelson as they showed him the door, then in turn signed and made Jimmy Graham the highest paid tight end who didn't give much production.
I could go through the rest following Nelson, but i'll give you some time to figure it out on your own. Maybe you're a newer Packer fan
******************
The Packers had 3 difference makers on offense the last 2 seasons season, they got rid of two.
The remaining difference maker Aaron Jones was forced to take a 5 million dollar pay cut.
You saw how life without Aaron Jones works last night.
******************
Bakh's knee didn't fail him, the surgeons failed him, an ACL injury should be healed in far less than 3 years.
Not the same injury, but think Derek Sherrod.
*************************
HarryHodag
I know he's hurt, but WTF? Didn't the Packers doctors know this was happening?
Packer_Fan
October 07, 2023 at 02:43 pm
I am sorry to say this, but it is time to move on, but at the end of the season. There is too much risk of issues with the knee for the $40 mil the Pack would have to pay. Too much risk that there will still be issues and lost games because of his knee
TarynsEyes
October 07, 2023 at 05:36 pm
Don't be sorry. It's the truth.
SinceLombardi
October 07, 2023 at 02:58 pm
In all seriousness.. it’s not a half season or even a season we’re talking about.. It’s an easy choice to move on. Developer someone, trade, sign or draft. Cap hit be damned.
It’s a cornerstone position and it needs to be settled before training camp. This franchise has had enough of will he or won’t he play next year from its star players, for a variety of reasons.
We also have Christian Watson who so far has missed about as many games as he’s played. But he’s young and on a rookie contract. Bahktiari has to go. They probably should have made a move a year ago and just took the cap hit. At least we would have had a chance to get a permanent replacement.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
October 08, 2023 at 08:36 am
I was shocked after Gutey hung tough and out witted the Jets by flip flopping first round picks this year that he did not select Broderick Jones, LT. Was totally shocked! I never believed Bachtiari would play much if at all in 2023, so the IR move was zero surprise. Bachtiari definitely will not return in 2024. I hope the selection of LVN turns out to be as good as Rashan Gary.
For all of those who wanted to trade Nijiman for a measly 5th or 6th round pick next year how are you feeling now? Thankfully you do not make personnel decisions.
The Packers have a lot of needs in next years draft, but fortunately Gutey secured an extra 2nd round pick. I have been tired of other teams playing smash mouth football against the Packers for the past decade, particularly in the playoffs against good teams. The Packers need a sumawrestler like NT as a space eater to stop the run, an OT, and another IOL in the draft. My preference are the OL are road grader types that can clear out the lanes to run the football. Fortunately, with 3 picks in the first 64 selections the Packers have the ability to transform the trenches on both sides of the line.
2023 is a fun year, but 2024 will be lights out fun!
Coldworld
October 08, 2023 at 08:50 am
Jones has not yet established himself as good. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t, but he was a project as much as Van Ness.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
October 08, 2023 at 11:16 am
I don't disagree CW! I was simply shocked Jones wasn't the pick with the Bachtiari situation and the importance of LT. I'm happy with the LVN selection and believe he is going to be very good. The team must feel relatively good about the ling term development of the young OT's on the roster. The blessing of DB out for the year is giving the young OT's a chance at experience. It also gives Gutey an opportunity to firm up his draft needs and the importance he needs to invest in OL.
LeotisHarris
October 07, 2023 at 04:35 pm
Regardless of how well the Packers Brass communicates with their star players, in this communication paradigm, the sender (Dave's knee) is telling the receiver (Dave) straight up that it has had enough. It's been trying for a couple of years now, in all sorts of ways, but Dave has been ignoring the message. Might be something to that listen to your body stuff.
Dave deserves a quality human knee joint to carry him without pain or other woes off into his after-football life. Like a steam locomotive rollin' down the track, he's gone, gone, and nothin's gonna bring him back, he's gone.
Bitternotsour
October 07, 2023 at 06:24 pm
The knee doesn't care if David listens or not, because the knee wants what the knee wants.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
October 08, 2023 at 08:15 am
Well played!
Guam
October 08, 2023 at 08:17 am
Great point Leotis. Bahk has been a great LT, but it is likely time for him to step away from the game he clearly loves. He has earned generational wealth and I hope he will be healthy enough to enjoy it. I also suspect he will be having knee replacement surgery much earlier than most folks.
HarryHodag
October 07, 2023 at 05:34 pm
My cynicism shows here but this is a nice way to slide out of Green Bay and probably join some team on the east coast. I know he's hurt, but WTF? Didn't the Packers doctors know this was happening?
Bitternotsour
October 07, 2023 at 06:28 pm
Hey Harry, if Bakh played or somehow gutted out one last season, then spent his remaining years crippled or otherwise handicapped, would you be there for him, to serve as his valet and or 2nd leg, so that you might remain entertained by his one last round--up
Lphill
October 07, 2023 at 06:40 pm
If he restructures and gets back in good health , play him he’s one of the best many here don’t want him because he’s Rodgers friend.
Bitternotsour
October 07, 2023 at 10:15 pm
i disagree with that assessment. many here don't want him because he is injured, and they feel like god grants them a team with uninjured players and that loyalty is a one way street.
injury is personal, they are aggrieved.
entitled town...
MooPack
October 07, 2023 at 06:55 pm
Bakhtiari is done. As a GBP and as a career. He doesn't want to admit this and neither will the Packers. Possible value, blah, blah, blah. Regardless, He isn't back next year. They are not going to pay him another additional cent. I've said before the season started, you can't count on him for the whole season. That's just reality. 2+ years of setbacks. now going to 3. Great career, Great Packer, Loved his play, but it's done. There is no question mark.
This was my initial preseason OL (before we knew Bahk was done for sure):
Bakh - Jenkins - Tom - Runyan - Nijim
Now?, This is what it should be:
Nijim/Walker - Jenkins -Tom - Runyan - Walker/Nijim (Put the Tackles in their best positions)
We see it, know it, crave for it. Yet, for some reason, 2 years running at least, the Packers do not. My faith in Packers OL coaching is waning. The Packers have a plethora of Tackles that they could plug in. Not saying they are world beaters, but this option, imo, is best. Put Tom at Center. My God, lock down this 2nd most important OL position (It ain't RT, It's Center) Myers ain't it. Granted this depends on Jenkins health, but either way, this should be done. I'm dumbfounded on the obviousness of this. Draft... if Gute has a brain in his head, which I believe he does, he will resolve this next year. Next years draft is very good for OL.
For now, weed out the non-performers...Newsom (shouldn't be on the team) and Myers. This will eventually be done. Too slow, as the Packers MO has habitually shown, but you can eventually bank on it.
4thand10
October 09, 2023 at 09:23 am
And weed out Royce Newman….
MooPack
October 09, 2023 at 04:10 pm
Lol, didn't even notice. Yes. I'm actually going to leave it so people know what you are saying.
Newman!!
Leatherhead
October 07, 2023 at 08:01 pm
Our best lineup, in the view of the coaches who see them and work with them everyday, says it's Walker-Jenkins-Myers-Runyan-Tom. until another injury hits. Excepting Walker for Bakhtiari, it's how they've thought this would shake out since the offseason started.
Newman is on the team because he was, and is, one of our 9 best that we're allowed to suit up. Why? Because he's stayed healthy, beat out competitors, practiced hard, knows the playbook, is a bargain on a rookie contract, etc. etc. I agree, it would be nice if we had 9 guys healthy who were better than Newman, but we don't, and that's why he's on the team.
Myers has been a starter since he showed up, and he starts at Center every time he's healthy enough to play. He's also a rookie contract bargain and will be again next year. I think he gets his man blocked most of the time, based on what I'm seeing. He's not going anywhere, he's not going to be benched or cut. He's going to stay at Center.
MooPack
October 07, 2023 at 11:47 pm
"it would be nice if we had 9 guys healthy who were better than Newman, but we don't, and that's why he's on the team."
And that's why iOL is a big weakness of this team. Him being kept tells you a lot.
"I think he gets his man blocked most of the time, based on what I'm seeing."
Myers - Well Hells Bells, as long as it's MOST of the time. What 70%, 80%, 90% ??? Gosh mediocre is such a high goal to shoot for. The Packers should thank their lucky stars that it's MOST of the time.
Coldworld
October 08, 2023 at 08:47 am
The Dean Lowry approach to not winning anything material. Serviceable will do, though in Myers case that been his high side; this season, he’s been firmly replacement grade so far.
What a thoroughly depressing lack of ambition couched as positivity.
Leatherhead
October 08, 2023 at 06:39 pm
Yes, we should only have players who win 100% of their matchups. Spoken like people who’ve never played.
joejetson
October 07, 2023 at 08:03 pm
Bakh has always been pretty straightforward and honest throughout his career. He says here that he wants to come back, so I'll take him at his word. The huge front office blunder here was constantly redoing his contract to create fake salary cap space to "keep the band together". I think if they release him they have to pay him a boatload of money anyways. If that's the case, they'll have to balance the risk/reward equation if they think this latest batch of surgeries is actually going to work this time.
What this does demonstrates is the stupidity of backloading these astronomical, bloated, guaranteed contracts.
IMO this season will be a success if they get their salary cap situation in order, get their young nucleus game experience, and humiliate the Bears and Vikings.
They're not ready to compete for a super bowl, so just don't do something stupid like trade high draft picks for a big name guy, someone like a Jonathan Taylor.
Take your medicine and build through the draft, like Detroit finally did.
And maybe get a decent coaching staff.
13TimeChamps
October 07, 2023 at 08:35 pm
"Take your medicine and build through the draft, like Detroit finally did."
Detroit is the last organization I'd use as an example of patience. Year after year after year of high draft picks and over 30 years since their last playoff appearance.
I agree with building through the draft, but please don't use Detroit as an example of how to go about it. I'll be dead in 30 years and I'd like to see a few more playoff games before then.
Guam
October 08, 2023 at 08:23 am
I dunno 13TC, he could have picked the Bears as an example of how to build through the draft.......
My niece sent me a GIF the other day of the Bears logo with "Rebuilding since 1986" across the face of it. LOL
Oppy
October 08, 2023 at 07:00 am
Packers have a history of standing by their injured starters throughout their contract.
I would go so far as to estimate that the Packers, as an organization, view the contract as a commitment to take care of the player through thick and thin (healthwise), remembering that the player is sacrificing their body in return for that contract every Sunday, and that the Packers are agreeing to make sure they are returning that player back to their family in the best condition possible to fulfill the rests of their lives.
I would not be surprised if the Packers honor their standing contract with David Bakhtiari heading into and through the 2024 season. It certainly wouldn't be in the best interests of the Packers football organization, a not-for-profit organization that plays the game of football, but it would likely be the best way to take care of David Bakhtiari, a human being with a family and children who sacrificed his body to play football for the Packers.. I think the Packers unofficial stance on this will be to support David in however he decides to proceed so long as he's injured while under contract with the Packers- to do right by the persons first and worry about the organization 2nd in a case of player health.
Coldworld
October 08, 2023 at 08:53 am
Bakh has pocketed 10s of millions on this contract already. I don’t think he needs to be taken care of by the Packers beyond that.
Oppy
October 08, 2023 at 09:37 am
Yeah, that's a pretty standard knee-jerk- and thoughtless- response from the average sports fan. It's almost like there's no information available about how so many NFL veterans end up broke and crippled due to the long term health effects of destroying their body to play the game.
I don't take any personal issue with you in day to day interactions around here, but you seem to think of yourself as fairly well informed. I'd suggest looking into the staggering health care costs that many NFL players incur for the rest of their lives once the leave the league. Health care costs that the NFL no longer provides for once you're out of the league.
Yes, NFL players, particularly starters and stars, make a lot of money. They're still human beings and have lives. They still suffer. Yes, it was a decision. Maybe try not to be a typical sports fan who obviously is unhappy with how little you earn compared to pro sports players, and think beyond the green and understand these guys are human beings. I think the Packers get it. Meanwhile, too many sports fans just see "rich guy".
Coldworld
October 08, 2023 at 09:54 am
Life isn’t like that. Bakh is one of the few football players who isn’t a QB but has earned 50 odd million. He’s one of the lucky ones. His injuries came late and after he got his big payday. As he has noted, the Packers won on him early in value terms and have lost late. That’s how it goes.
Very few star athletes want their careers to end. It’s tough when you have been a star and a footballer for 2/3 of your life. I don’t begrudge Bakh. The team gambled and lost. He didn’t want that any more than they did, but that doesn’t change the facts now. It’s time to move on, he has my sympathy, but if the team does as you suggest then they would not.
You seem quite happy to make assumptions about me. It seems like this is rather personal to you. I’d say there are many more causes worthy if such angst than Bakh and that your emotive vitriol suggests you’d be wise to stop and take a lot of deep breaths. That’s at a level on a par with SH’s grief for Rodgers.
Oppy
October 08, 2023 at 10:24 am
I'm asserting that history seems to indicate that the Packers honor the contracts they've awarded their starters through the conclusion of injury.
I personally think that's a fantastic quality for team that seems to have a fan base that prides itself on their team being a community oriented, values-based, not-for-profit organization amidst a backdrop of straight corporate greed across the league.
I just can't fault an organization for putting the people who sacrifice to help them win above the game itself. It looks like you do, and that's your choice.
I like that the team seems to try and prioritizes health of their employees where they can in a full contact sport over the game itself. NFL players already sacrifice 10+ years of life expectancy compared to the rest of the population in order to entertain us. I just respect the prioritization of people over a game. I guess i'm what you might call "a loser". I'm okay with that.
Packfansincebirth
October 08, 2023 at 02:23 pm
Uh...no. The Packers have generally followed the mentality of better to get rid of player too early rather than too late. Remember also that Rodgers mentioned more than a few times that GB management showed little loyalty to their respected veteran players. They have already paid Bakh a ton of money for barely a season's worth of work since he signed that huge extension. I do not foresee them "honoring" his $40 million pay next season.
Oppy
October 08, 2023 at 03:19 pm
The entirety of my post is clearly framed- I'm speaking specifically of starters who are injured and under contract.
As to Rodgers' complaints (which really is a completely separate issue), I generally could care less about anything he has ever had to say. In reference to the crying of Rodgers about how the Packers organization disrespects its respected veteran players, Rodgers specifically called out John Kuhn by name, amongst others- a player that felt so totally disrespected by the Packers organization that he was actively employed by the terrible, disrespectful Packers organization when Rodgers made the comments... Kuhn still enjoys a professional relationship with the Packers to this day. That's really all you need to know about Rodgers' lobbying against the big meanie Packers and speaking out for his down-trodden peers. It's utter bullshit, Rodgers attempting to bash an organization and having no issue with bringing ex-teammates names who clearly didn't share his angst into the conversation.
Oppy
October 08, 2023 at 03:36 pm
Btw; in terms of injured players and honoring contracts through those injuries; See Justin Harrell, Nick Perry, JJ Stokes, Robert Ferguson just off the top of my head.
From what I've witnessed over the years, if the player is actively rehabbing, he will likely still be on the roster until he is healthy. At that point, they may consider a re-negotiation, trade, or release.. but it typically doesn't seem to be until the player is through their contract or through the injury, one or the other.
4thand10
October 09, 2023 at 09:28 am
Does anyone know if there are comp picks for injured players? Like say they’re under contract for 2 yrs but can’t play? Are there injury clauses in some of these contracts or no?
mrtundra
October 08, 2023 at 07:44 am
Bakhtiari is done, in GB. Bad knee aside, we cannot afford his cap hit. While he played here, he was, IMO, the best LT, in the League. I rank him second to Joe Thomas, overall, at the LT spot, in recent years. Rasheed Walker will be our new LT and we still have Yosh Nijman, who has played LT, well, when called on. I also think OT will be a 1st Round priority, for GB, in next Spring's Draft. OL help, next draft, at OG and C, will also be needed as we need to give Love better protection. We have yet to see if Sean Rhyan and Caleb Jones can step up.
NickPerry
October 08, 2023 at 01:20 pm
I'd like to see them take an OT early in this draft, hopefully one is there in the first round that fell. But what if Walker really started to develop into something this year. The dude is certainly build like an OT.
It's going to be very interesting to see what Gute does with the O-Line. Meyers is getting worse, and so is Newman. Nijman is in the doghouse (Does anyone know why?). They KNOW hat they have in them. That's why I'd like to see some Sean Rhyan really soon.
WD
October 08, 2023 at 09:59 am
The story on Bakhtiari has been tragic with all the ups and downs. However, the latest update is a blessing in disguise. It seems they finally came up with the correct diagnosis. Moreover, the problem is correctable. He is expected to return for next summers training camp. There is no question that when healthy he is a pro bowl caliber player. He deserves our full support. More importantly we need to resign him for next year. It is what he wants and what is clearly in the best interest of the Green Bay Packers. PS If we don't sign him you can bet Aaron Rodgers and the Jets will.
Esquetoi
October 08, 2023 at 03:36 pm
Full support? What is that? Stop etherializing. It also keeps us from stark political realizations.
golfpacker1
October 08, 2023 at 10:07 am
No more restructures or extensions for Bahk. The Packers blew it on this one because this should be a business decision, not a let's feel sorry for player and let him eat our cap for free. The writing was on the wall in capital letters and was flashing. The smart move was to trade him for a 2nd rounder or maybe a 3rd and another late round pick-younger player at a position of need before the season. The Packers need to operate a successful business by making tough choices. David has run the course with his injuries, and we can't count on him anymore. We will be lucky to get anything for him now,
Aaron Jones, Devondre Campbell, and Preston Smith will be next. Bloated contracts, hurt alot or not productive. We could probably get Dalvin Cook or a 7th rounder right now. Jones would be easy to move later when he is healthier. Hopefully we don't screw that up too.
Dragon5
October 08, 2023 at 10:57 pm
<<Dragon5 September 12, 2020 at 04:06 pm
"The worst thing Gute can do to mess this up is to re-up Bahktiari in Bahk's enemy year."
Dragon5 January 29, 2021 at 06:29 pm
"BAHK (GOAT)--ACL just prior enemy year, high odds recovery complications, let him recover on IR, out for 2021"
Dragon5 March 25, 2021 at 06:14 pm
"David Bahktiari (GOAT)...concern is instead of sitting out '21, they rush him back and lose not 1 year, but the rest of his career"
Dragon5 January 10, 2022 at 05:00 pm
"Kid gloves with...Bahk as he finishes up his enemy year (OX) thru Jan 31st"
Dragon5 January 26, 2022 at 01:47 pm
"FOOLS!!!"