The Packers Should Keep David Bakhtiari No Matter Who Starts at QB
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers announced that they had restructured the contract of starting left tackle David Bakhtiari on Friday. The deal converted salary and roster bonus into signing bonus and freed up roughly $7.52 million of cap space.
Bakhtiari finally returned to action in 2022 after missing nearly all the 2021 season due to complications from a knee injury he suffered shortly before the 2020 regular-season finale.
In 2022, Bakhtiari returned to form when he was in the lineup. According to Pro Football Focus, the veteran left tackle did not allow a sack this past season. He graded out extremely well and remains an elite pass blocker and a very good run blocker.
GM Brian Gutekunst indicated the team wanted to restructure Bakhtiari’s contract at the trade deadline and he explained why. “When he’s playing like that, it just is kind of a trickle-down effect and I think the whole unit as a whole played really, really well the second half of the season,” Gutekunst explained.
The big issue for the former Colorado star remains staying healthy enough to remain in the lineup. His rehab from his knee injury caused him to miss a few games early in the season. Then, an emergency appendectomy cost him four more games late in the campaign.
There have been rumblings that if the Packers trade quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, the Jets may want to have Bakhtiari included as part of the deal. It makes sense for the Jets who have issues along their offensive line and would want to keep Rodgers happy by improving his protection and giving him one of his close friends on the roster at the same time.
But the move doesn’t necessarily make sense for the Packers unless the Jets really make the team an offer that’s impossible to refuse.
When he’s played, Bakhtiari remains a force at left tackle. If Rodgers remains, he will certainly want his good friend Bakhtiari back protecting his blind side. If Jordan Love takes over as the quarterback, having an experienced former All Pro protecting him may be even more important. Yes, Love has more mobility than Rodgers at this point in his career but giving him that extra split second to throw the football and somebody who has been through the wars of 10 NFL seasons would certainly be helpful.
Keeping Bakhtiari around also solidifies the offensive line. It allows Elgton Jenkins to stay at left guard which gives the Packers two former Pro Bowl players on the left side of their offensive line. It also means that Yosh Nijman and Zach Tom are likely to battle for the starting job at right tackle depending on who the Packers add in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The best argument for trading Bakhtiari is that his health is a major question mark and perhaps it’s better to trade him a year too soon rather than a year too late when he would have little value left.
Others argue that if the team is “rebuilding” without Rodgers, then freeing up cap space and getting younger around Love while he learns to be a successful starter in this league would also make sense.
But the Packers still feel like they make the playoffs in 2023 if Love is the starting quarterback. The NFC is wide open with no dominant team in the division or the conference right now.
The Packers also have two strong running backs in Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, two young receivers full of potential in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs and an offensive line that has both talent and depth if Bakhtiari is healthy and playing well.
The defense is also strong on paper assuming that head coach Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Joe Barry figure out how to play a scheme that maximizes the available talent and the team finds a solid starting safety tandem in the draft or in free agency.
The Packers were one game away from the playoffs in 2022 with a quarterback who was statistically average at best. If Love can be the 16th best starter in the league, the Pack should be able to compete for the playoffs with Love under center. The Packers may be retooling but they are not in a full rebuild mode.
Having Bakhtiari there gives the team stability, talent and experience. Unless the Jets or another NFL team make Gutekunst an offer he simply cannot refuse, the Packers should keep Bakhtiari in Green and Gold for at least another season.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
__________________________
Comments (101)
MooPack
March 11, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Keep him on a one year deal? Does this make sense? Rodgers is leaving. Team needs to get cap healthy and field more consistently healthy. If were moving on, then let's move on. One year of Bakh doesn't seem like a wise choice.
https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/packers-restructure-contract-for-david-bak...
stockholder
March 11, 2023 at 12:24 pm
What did you expect with idiots?
jannesbjornson
March 11, 2023 at 03:27 pm
Love working the gurney on IR because of a blindside smack doesn't seem like a particularly sagacious choice either.
Coldworld
March 12, 2023 at 11:02 am
How many times has Rodgers been in a Gurney with Nijman, Tom and Jenkins at LT over 2 seasons?
Probably the nearest was when they inexplicably moved Turner there and messed up the whole OL in the Championship game.
Coldworld
March 11, 2023 at 12:22 pm
If it’s Rodgers, obviously, but right now that looks increasingly untenable after yesterday. If we were to bring in a veteran replacement quite possibly, but I don’t see that happening.
If it’s Love starting, then this deal is probably a sign that they will not, and rightly. Next year the cap hit for Bakh is now 40 million. That’s not going to be seen through. In fact, the new deal just gives us some cap now while making the cost for a team acquiring him this year very reasonable for 2023. That could result in higher trade compensation as a quid pro quo.
More importantly, it makes it very unlikely that Bakh will be back in Love’s second season as a starter. As such, I think it better to start a player he can grow with and have there over the next few years. In doing so, our cap position is improved (if less quickly after the redo), helping to get more around him next year and certainly beyond once the new dead cap (if he’s not with us next year) works out.
Love needs to learn with what is realistically available to him for the early part of his career. I believe we have shown adequate talent with upside at LT to enable us to avoid the expense of Bakh just to enable a transition. The picks this year or next, depending on timing, won’t hurt us either.
We won’t be better at LT this year, but we should not be sufficiently worse to represent a problem and might be better in the relatively near future simply due to age and health and experience gained by his successor. That’s when our next best chance to contend is likely, not this year.
murf7777
March 11, 2023 at 01:23 pm
CW I agree…….I remember when folks said Bak was done and now many want to keep this high priced vet. He’s definitely one of the best and certainly deserves to get paid, if we a get a 1st or 2nd for him I think we should move on. Of course, that’s if Rodgers is traded. It makes a lot of sense for the Jets to want both. Load up on draft picks and start anew.
dblbogey
March 11, 2023 at 01:43 pm
I don't disagree, but I think then you have to draft Skoronski at 13. OL is critical and without Bakh, we have a good one in Jenkins, possibly one in Zach Tom, but Myers, Runyan and Nijman as starters is not impressive.
NickPerry
March 11, 2023 at 02:35 pm
I disagree about Runyan. Could we improve or find a better RG? Sure, but Runyan is FAR from the problem with the O-Line. I think he's consistently gotten better each year too.
Coldworld
March 11, 2023 at 03:44 pm
I thought Runyon went back a little last year, but I think due to the general chaos and movement more than ability. I don’t see T as the biggest area of concern unless the answer at C is Tom or Jenkins. I am concerned about C and G depth. To me that’s where we need to strengthen. Im not writing off Rhyan, or even Newman (whom I thought the coaches really didn’t help), but im not relying on either and certainly not on Hanson, who was just bad wherever.
HawkPacker
March 11, 2023 at 04:36 pm
Remember he went to right guard from left guard last year. Give him some time.
Coldworld
March 11, 2023 at 05:07 pm
I do, a transition Nijman and Jenkins had to make and Tom played all over the place. I have more faith in those players as a result, but less in coaching. I think Jenkins will be better physically this year too.
jannesbjornson
March 12, 2023 at 08:05 am
Who played right guard when Jenkins was healthy at his LG spot 2020-21? Runyan knows both positions. No excuses.
LLCHESTY
March 12, 2023 at 06:53 pm
Before last year I think Runyan only played one game at RG after someone went down early in the season. Newman played there in 2021.
greengold
March 11, 2023 at 08:58 pm
I like Runyan too, Nick. A lot.
That’s why I included him as a possibility in a bigger trade package, initially. Why? Because he’s on the last year of his deal, and his play carries value in draft capital.
We are loaded with players who are more than capable to play LG, and with the Jets being deficient at OL across the board, my thinking is we could walk away from a 3 player trade package far richer than before.
I don’t want to trade him, but I certainly would at the right price. I put this very proposition forward about a month ago with either Jenkins or Runyan.
Certainly not saying give them away. But, if the Jets wanted to pony up with high picks to surround AR with a couple of OL he knows & trusts, starters who are scheme specific, that will cost them big draft capital.
To me, it would make sense for both sides with NYJ going all-in, and a new era beginning in GB. One team loading for now, the other for the future.
jannesbjornson
March 11, 2023 at 03:36 pm
A guard? If they play the S&M game with Jordan Love and remove veteran Helpers, you best draft OTs in Rounds One and Two, maybe three. Toss in Robinson as the Bell Cow RB. Wolf was assigned a desk in Air Force Intelligence, he claims. In contrast, this group running the Strategy Sessions high above the Sledding Hill would jeopardize National Security.
Coldworld
March 11, 2023 at 05:09 pm
The bell cow is Jones, that’s what they just paid him to be.
jannesbjornson
March 11, 2023 at 05:18 pm
He is a wingback.
Irish_Cheesehead
March 11, 2023 at 06:55 pm
If they trade Bakh, you'll see a tackle taken in the first. And wouldn't you love to see "Skoronski" on the back of a Packers jersey again?
BirdDogUni
March 12, 2023 at 10:07 am
"Skoronski spent his college years manning the quarterback’s blindside at tackle, but the body type and skill set are begging for a move to guard, where he can play his best football as a pro." Per nfl. com.
No, I don't want to draft a Guard in the 1st round...
splitpea1
March 11, 2023 at 12:39 pm
Disagree; if we can move him, then do it. For now we have serviceable options which will give us time to draft and groom an eventual replacement. I know it's easier said than done replacing a player of his former caliber, but there are candidates available in this upcoming draft. Keeping veterans like Bakh, Crosby, and Tonyan around for one more season is exactly the kind of short-term thinking we need to avoid. Call it retooling, rebuilding or whatever, but the younger we get, the quicker we can start contending for more than just a playoff spot again.
And if including him helps facilitate the trade of Rodgers to another team, then it's full speed ahead with no hesitation.
PatrickGB
March 11, 2023 at 12:48 pm
It would be nice to keep him. I can’t see any one stepping up at LT and performing as well. And we don’t want Jordan getting killed in his first year as a starter. Yet, it depends on what is being offered for him. I would hate to see him go for next to nothing or part of a twofer in the Rodgers deal.
murf7777
March 11, 2023 at 01:26 pm
If we can get good value I’d say trade him. Just because you don’t have a top 5 LT doesn’t mean your young QB will get killed. We probably have to cut his large contract next year anyways, so sooner or later he will be playing without him. I like the twofer with the Jets, again we need to get value for him.
Guam
March 11, 2023 at 05:13 pm
Exactly Murf - trade him if the Packers can get good value. Given his contract, Bahk likely has one year left with Green Bay and while I would prefer to see Bahk protecting Love's blindside, it will only be for one season. If the Packers can get the Jet's second round pick for Bahk, I would take it and draft an OT that can protect Love for many years.
mnbadger
March 11, 2023 at 01:57 pm
don't forget that MLF's offense gets the ball out quickly while also slowing the defense a half step with the illusion of complexity or something like that.
GPG!
splitpea1
March 11, 2023 at 02:57 pm
Let's hope it actually is something like that with our new QB because it's been MIA recently.
Coldworld
March 12, 2023 at 11:22 am
If it’s not we will be a flower down very shortly
jannesbjornson
March 11, 2023 at 03:47 pm
Watch Shanahans' offense get crushed on the corners as defenses smarten up and bash the lead guys, as they did during the Playoffs. Without a solid QB working from the pocket, his brilliant scheme is burnished with coal.
greengold
March 11, 2023 at 09:13 pm
Hey Patrick, I agree, but I don’t think anyone is suggesting trading away a player we cannot do without - as deemed by the staff.
None of us knows how some of our younger players are developing, nor can we foresee the future.
But kicking around ideas about what may be worthwhile, probable, and/or possible doesn’t hurt.
That contract structure for Bak looks prime for trading away as opposed to keeping in house for years.
We’re all just trying to figure out what they’re doing.
Bak, after 3 surgeries, on his 4th contract? Eh… it might be time to reset that clock at LT with new blood.
PatrickGB
March 12, 2023 at 10:04 am
G&G, true. It IS worth considering. Anything is worth considering. But it’s trading certainty for possible potential. Proven LT’s are like gold.
Coldworld
March 12, 2023 at 11:11 am
A 32 year old LT star with some medical questions and a one year deal is gold, but is that gold greatest in what they can bring in a trade or are they going to bring us a Super Bowl?
If it is Love starting, I suspect the trade does the most for him and the over all team around him. I will be very happy to eat my words if Love pulls off a Super Bowl this year. Im not betting on it though. If not, Love is better playing with someone he can develop longer term comfort with and a better overall roster.
There’s a price point where, if starting a new QB, keeping Bakh is nonsensical. Now that’s quite a high price, but, as you say, stellar LTs are worth it to contenders.
Oppy
March 12, 2023 at 11:20 am
I don't know. I think an NFL franchise should constantly be looking to get the best LT they can get their hands on (assuming a right handed QB.)
Protecting your QBs blind side will always help you get the most out of your QB. Giving a new starter the most opportunity to learnwith the least amount of pressure is never a bad thing.
A dominant LT, a great safety valve target (be it a TE, WR, or RB).. these are pieces that will always aid in a young QB's development IMO.
Coldworld
March 12, 2023 at 11:25 am
Undoubtedly for a year he will help. Though the question is whether that help is as much as can be gained by alternative courses.
I return to the fact that others actually protected Rodgers pretty well at LT and the fact that Bakh probably is a one year prospect if he stays now. He also isn’t going anywhere without some valuable compensation that also could help.
jhtobias
March 11, 2023 at 01:26 pm
Two things that leave me dumfounded about people who want to get rid of Bak like right now today .
1. I will repeat this because some packer fans have very selective hearing no one not even Bill O'Brian if he were still a GM is going to trade for him with his injury history . I repeat no one if we need to translate into other languages for selective hearing packer fans let's accommodate them
2. Even before his restructure what would you gain by cutting save 3 million take on 20 plus more dead cap ? Don't you realize that a 3 million dollar gamble vs a 20 million dollar dead cap hit that he has finally cleared the injury hurdle is worth it ?
Gee Whiz amazing people don't listen but then again everyone needs a safe space and a trophy these days
Great Article anyhow
4thand10
March 11, 2023 at 03:13 pm
Nobody “wants” to get rid of Bak, however if another team wants to unload the contract for him as a 2 yr rental and bail us out of cap problems….why not. We rented Billy Turner when we didn’t have prospects for RT. Left tackles are valuable to teams that don’t have any. He passes any teams physical…they’ll want him. In 2021 we had 13-3 without him and everyone here is whistling about how we don’t have any prospects?? We need OL help or improvement…But i’m on a different page. I think it’s at center and RT could be upgraded.
LLCHESTY
March 11, 2023 at 08:10 pm
I guess there's 8 people that think they should trade him the day after a restructure. 🙄🙄
Coldworld
March 12, 2023 at 11:18 am
The restructure seems to make a good return more feasible. A restructure is not always intended to ensure we keep a player. This one gets us some needed cap and also retain the option to trade him, in fact probably making it easier to.
LLCHESTY
March 12, 2023 at 06:58 pm
You think they restructured him to make him more tradeable right now? You'd have to show your work on that one because I don't think there's any way they can include Bakhtiari in a Rodgers trade. Maybe after June 1st.
Coldworld
March 13, 2023 at 12:11 am
I didn’t suggest inclusion in the Rodgers trade. I’ve never felt that particularly likely.
Mm
greengold
March 11, 2023 at 09:18 pm
jh… omg. Woody Johnson will trade for him if Aaron Rodgers insists upon it.
You know that too. That’s the crux of the biscuit right there.
murf7777
March 11, 2023 at 01:30 pm
Just don’t see the Packers making the playoffs with Love. Nothing against Love, it’s just most 1st year starting QB’s have a losing record in year one. So, if the odds are well against you to make the playoffs why not gets some assets for Bak. Especially, since he will be a SC hit the following year.
Coldworld
March 11, 2023 at 03:50 pm
I’m not sure if we’d have made them in 2008 with the Wild Card as exists now. It’s certainly not impossible that a Love led team with a similar record could (if Barry and LaFleur justify their titles). I’d expect a period of growth will be necessary before more than that though. Certainly before true contention.
greengold
March 11, 2023 at 09:31 pm
Yeah. Like, a year!
I think we all should have a bit more of a mindset that it’s time this teams builds a new future, with a goal to contend again starting in 2024, and any successes prior being pure gravy.
I’m fully confident we can bring home the prize this season if they get the right pieces and coaching.
Improbable? Yes, but, so was 2010, especially after losing to DET…
Way more confident if AR is traded, as GB will have more to reload with in both draft & FA.
jannesbjornson
March 11, 2023 at 04:01 pm
Make up your mind. Do you want to Play to Win and get Love coming out of the chute on fire, or defend the imminent set of Excuses presented by the gee whiz collective running the Show? The CAP whining is pathetic. The Ledger moves UP every year. The FO mis-management of the Money falls squarely on THEM, not the Players.
Coldworld
March 12, 2023 at 11:29 am
If your expectations of Love with this roster are that high this year, then I think you are going to be seriously disappointed. I can only deduce that you think Rodgers much worse than I do, since he couldn’t do much with it last year, even with Bakh returning.
LLCHESTY
March 12, 2023 at 07:03 pm
I think it's much more likely Love comes out of the chute a dumpster fire but I don't think it will be all his fault.
Guam
March 11, 2023 at 05:16 pm
I hope the fans have a little patience with Love. Rodgers went 6-10 in his first year, so Love should get some grace as he learns to be a starter.
BirdDogUni
March 12, 2023 at 01:18 am
We did go 6 - 10, but AR played pretty darn well IIRC. I think if Jordan is playing well, but showing signs of improving when he does make a mistake, the fan base will understand. If Love plays well and the defense lets him down, they won't be after Love's head, they'll be after Barry's...
I know Love won't be perfect. The fans know this, they just want to see him making good choices and playing confident like he did against the Eagles and he'll be fine...
All is well...
Thegreatreynoldo
March 12, 2023 at 01:42 am
GB allowed 291 points in 2007 and 380 in 2008 with AR.
GB scored 435 points in 2007 and 416 in 2008 with AR.
So, GB scored one point less per game while allowing a whopping 5.56 more points to be scored in 2008. The sub .500 record was due to a defensive collapse.
That said, yes, fans should exercise a little patience with Love.
Guam
March 12, 2023 at 09:12 am
Much has been made of the poor defense AR played with in 2008 and that the defense was largely responsible for the poor 6-10 record. That defense ranked 22nd in the league in points per game allowed and 20th in yards per game allowed.
The defense that Love will inherit (i.e. the 2022 Packer defense) placed 17th in points per game allowed and 17th in yards per game allowed. Unless the defense makes significant progress under Barry next year (sarcasm intended), it appears Love will be playing with a defense not far different from the one AR played with in his first year as a starter.
Love deserves as much patience as the fans had with Rodgers.
BirdDogUni
March 12, 2023 at 10:55 am
Totally blowing our 1st round pick in '07 (Justin Harrell) certainly didn't help our defense in '08... (SSMH)
I'm hopeful that Quay and Wyatt make that 2nd year jump we're always talking about. Add in four or five of our draft picks to an already decent core of defensive players and the hope that Barry can pull his head out and put them in a better position to succeed and our defense may be much improved overall...
Improving our OL play would go a long way in helping our defense too. If we're able to get those 3rd and 1's instead of having to punt, our defense won't be as gassed either...
Oppy
March 12, 2023 at 11:07 am
Yeah, Justin Harrell was painful.
Just curious - as a side question - what is you preference for targeting in the first round?
Would you prefer the team go for the "safe bet" pick- a player that is considered to be the least risk? A player that is considered "NFL Ready" but maybe doesn't have as much star potential?
Or do you prefer the team swing for the fences? Spend first round capital on a player that has unbelievable potential- maybe HoF type ceiling, but could also end up being a bust?
jannesbjornson
March 12, 2023 at 07:52 am
The defense let that particular squad down they blew four -five leads into the fourth quarter. Rodgers was fine and confident. Should have had a 10-6 record, minimum.
Coldworld
March 12, 2023 at 11:37 am
Rodgers was fine, that’s a good word for it: he improved through the year, particularly in terms of consistency, but as he has said, he wasn’t the QB in 2008 that he was in 2010. That was something we clearly saw and enjoyed seeing as he grew over those years (and finally silenced the Favre is better crowd).
These expectations are getting silly already. Reimagining history doesn’t help Love, this team or future fan peace of mind.
jannesbjornson
March 12, 2023 at 01:39 pm
If he started the 2007 NFC CH game they would have went to the SB. He had the mobility and moxy to put pressure on a defense flooding zones and rushing four.
barutanseijin
March 12, 2023 at 09:04 pm
He wasn’t so hot against the Giants in 2011 when he was a more polished quarterback . The outcome would have been the same, but by a different path.
Oppy
March 12, 2023 at 05:19 pm
I love that after finishing off with "Reimagining history doesn’t help Love, this team or future fan peace of mind", jannes immediately responds by re-imagining history and making a statement of pure fantasy conjecture as if it was somehow irrefutable fact.
That's just fantastic.
LLCHESTY
March 12, 2023 at 07:05 pm
If Love throws 28 TDs and 13 Ints this year I'll be shocked. Rodgers 26 TDs last year was 7th in the league.
BirdDogUni
March 12, 2023 at 08:32 pm
IDK - 28 seems a might low to me... ; )
Christian Watson - 9 (He scored 9 last year, granted 2 were rushing)
Romeo Doubs - 6 (Had 3 last year and doubles his production.)
Austin Allen - 3 (Just a guess if he stays on the 53.)
Josiah Deguara - 1 (He had zero last year, and I'm not sure he should be on the 53.)
Aaron Jones - 4 (Had 5 receiving TDs last year)
AJ Dillon - 2 (Had zero receiving TDs last year, but I suspect he may get more use this year.)
Toure - 2 (Had 1 last year so he doubles his total...)
New Stud Drafted WR - 3 (Elijah Higgins?)
New Stud Drafted TE - 3 (Darnell Washington?)
I know that adds up to 33, but I was trying to be conservative... ; P
Swisch
March 11, 2023 at 06:00 pm
It seems a good point, murf.
With or without Bakh, it'll be a challenge for the Packers to make the playoffs next season.
I'm bracing myself for the Packers not making the playoffs, as was the case the first year Rodgers started.
At the same time I'm hoping -- with or without Bakh -- that the Packers of next season do somehow make the playoffs with 9 or 10 wins. It seems there's some good talent on the team already, and maybe it can be done.
***
So, it seems not probable that the Packers make the playoffs in Love's first season as a starter, but plausible.
As a fan, with each fresh season, it's fun to hope with guarded optimism that maybe the Packers will do better than expected.
Wjstamper
March 11, 2023 at 01:38 pm
Tackles play well into their 30s. Bak is one of the best. He showed at the end of last year his knee is manageable and GTG We need to pay him a fair wage and keep him at least 3 more years.
murf7777
March 11, 2023 at 03:34 pm
I won’t argue that is one of the best, but after this year, the Packers will not be able to afford him because of his high salary cap. For more than likely, they would cut him in a salary cap saving. Like keep them for one year if you can get some good assets.?
BirdDogUni
March 12, 2023 at 05:35 pm
*Trade Deadline...
; P
greengold
March 11, 2023 at 01:54 pm
Bull to the schizzle, Gil. Fire starter…
All kidding aside, Bakhtiari is great. Is he on his 4th contract? At some point the GB FO must learn to sell high.
Wouldn’t resetting the clock at LT with a legit R1 talent who is far more affordable make more sense?
We should be thankful to have AR force the issue with NYJ to save us from ourselves.
Making the same mistakes again & again expecting a different outcome should pop in loudly here.
His new deal has trade stink all over it.
CoachJV
March 11, 2023 at 02:24 pm
Let him go with Arod... like the article mentions, "better a year early than a year late". If he was to fail this year, we get nothing for him later. Trade him with Arod.
greengold
March 11, 2023 at 02:44 pm
Bravo!
lou
March 11, 2023 at 02:47 pm
What position could be more critical than protecting the blind side of a young first time starting NFL QB than Left Tackle.
Coldworld
March 11, 2023 at 03:46 pm
Nijman, Jenkins and Tom actually did that pretty well with an old QB over 2 years when healthy. As well as a healthy Bakh? No, but well enough to reach 2 championships.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
March 11, 2023 at 06:15 pm
Lou,
How about protecting the blind side of a 40-year old QB who can no longer run, or even out run most 330 lb NT's?
Swisch
March 11, 2023 at 03:08 pm
I like keeping our players as long as possible to build a team identity that is a boost for performance on the field, and nurtures a stronger bond between the players and fans.
I'd even be open to keeping Rodgers for next season if he wasn't such an expensive diva. Plus, there's the matter of being fair with Jordan Love.
We have to balance the interests of each player with the interests of the rest of the players, plus the interests of the fans who are the heartbeat of the team.
We can't keep these guys forever, and not always until their retirement, especially if they require top dollar even as they age past their prime.
So, I'd prefer to have Bakh back next season, but it's reasonable to ask if his price is too high without being insulting to him, or unappreciative of his effort and performance over the years.
If Bakh is making more than $20 million this upcoming season (with the restructured contract), that does seem to be too much to pay.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 11, 2023 at 03:27 pm
The most interesting thing is no void years. GB generated $7.52M but could have gotten $12.028M, a difference of $4.5M. Not clear if Bakh refused or if GB never asked. Either way, it means GB probably won't sign any of their significant UFAs: no Tonyan, no Lazard, no Nixon. True, perhaps they could squeeze one of them under the salary cap with some weird structure, but it is unlikely to be more than one such player.
GB probably has almost exactly nothing to spend on free agents (assumes a tender on Nijman and an extension for Gary that provides $3M in cap relief). I expect them to generate a little and use it on Hollins, Wilson, Ford and Leavitt.
Extra cap space has to come from Douglas $3.3M), Campbell ($2.6M), Savage (restructure that adds void years needs his consent), Runyan ($1.42M) or O'Donnell ($548K). Otherwise, the well is pretty dry. They can get $5.456M in cap relief on a max void year restructure on Savage.
It seems like the Packers want to give Love a fair chance, so they kept Bakh. He could be gone at the trade deadline in week 8, but might last the whole season. I suspect that any of the higher priced free agents GB signs will be on offense since this season shapes up as the Love try out season.
Leatherhead
March 11, 2023 at 03:38 pm
Most of the same conclusions I reached. I never thought Lazard was going to be back, or Nixon. I've been hoping we might keep Tonyan. Hollins, Wilson, et. al. would be good guys on the 53.
We have almost exactly nothing to spend on FAs this year.
But....we could have a draft that we'd be talking about 10 years from now. I think we could add five real good starters, impact players, in the Top 100 picks.
I see the offensive players around Love as being quite a bit the same as what we had around Rodgers last season. The same linemen, the same RBs, Watson, Doubs, etc.
If we hit on a TE and a WR in this draft, this could be a better offense than we had last year.
Swisch
March 11, 2023 at 04:43 pm
Maybe not having the money for free agents is a blessing in disguise.
Let's play the guys we do have -- including our young batch of wide receivers -- and develop them along with Love.
I still think we contend for the playoffs next season at 9-8, and then grow into a Super Bowl winner.
Coldworld
March 11, 2023 at 11:21 pm
At some point we need to take a breath and let the cap recover and find out what we have in our pipeline. This is a good year to do that.
BirdDogUni
March 12, 2023 at 09:52 am
We need to find out if all the young OL we've drafted are any good or if we need wholesale changes... If Rhyan, Newman, and Hanson are all trash, we need to jettison them and restock via the draft... We don't have the luxury of waiting three years any more for these guys to develop. (Maybe some guys, but certainly not all.)
If we do end up trading Bakh, I'm all for drafting the best OT available in the 1st round this year, especially if we have two first round picks...
dobber
March 12, 2023 at 10:19 am
"We don't have the luxury of waiting three years any more for these guys to develop. "
You hit the nail on the head: always moving forward. Sometimes that means you miss on a developmental guy who goes on and plays elsewhere--and there are a few of those former Packers elsewhere. They have a pretty good idea of what several of these guys (who were practice squad or healthy scratches) are going to do. I'd argue that play testing is only a good idea if they think--based on what they've seen these guys do since they've arrived--these guys are capable. Keep the pressure and the competition on.
Alberta_Packer
March 11, 2023 at 03:34 pm
From an asset management perspective - it is best to move on from DB. Like AR he is an ageing ,declining player (asset) with a large salary. For both, the return on investment has been poor over the last 2 years. With DB, due to the lack of availability, and Rodgers, due to dwindling abilities. Also in keeping DB, it is highly unlikely that he will play an entire season due to his injuries - so the risk-reward ratio is unfavorable. Besides, packaging DB with AR in a trade may fetch a 1st and a 2nd round draft pick. Whereas GB may not even get a 1st round pick for just Rodgers. Then there is the significant cap relief to consider. If common sense and intelligence prevails - DB should be elsewhere for the 2023-24 season.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 11, 2023 at 03:34 pm
I would also nominate this for dumbest quote ever given by an NFL executive (while admitting there is stiff competition out there):
"I mean unless, if things don't work out the way we would want them, yeah," Murphy said on the WIAA broadcast when asked if there's a scenario in which Rodgers could return.
Leatherhead
March 11, 2023 at 03:41 pm
He basically told the Jets "don't lowball us or we'll keep Rodgers and walk away". I thought it was a smoove move.
It's a bluff, of course.....we're not taking him back. But at least it lets the Jets know they could screw this up by making an insulting offer.
Coldworld
March 11, 2023 at 03:54 pm
Lol, no, I don’t think that’s what he told anyone
Leatherhead
March 12, 2023 at 10:43 am
Let me guess: You think this is just Murphy saying stupid stuff for no reason, right?
Oppy
March 12, 2023 at 10:49 am
I'll field this one:
Yes, we think it was just Murphy saying stupid stuff for no (good) reason.
This wasn't a calculated statement. This was Murphy bumbling through a question he wasn't expecting and giving a horrible answer because he wasn't prepared.
Leatherhead
March 12, 2023 at 02:34 pm
Oppy…..Murphy has been CEO of a half billion dollar enterprise for 15 years. Prior to that, he was AD at Northwestern and Colgate. He has an Ivy League education an advanced degree from Georgetown.
Are you sure that your explanation is the most likely? Murphy has had high profile jobs his whole and he’s no rookie when it comes to interviews and the media.
The answer he gave is true. If the trade doesn’t work out the way they want, he’ll still be a Packer….unless we cut him.
Oppy
March 12, 2023 at 05:09 pm
I am 100% sure my explanation is the most likely.
He was at a state high school athletics event. He was not expecting to field questions. His statements were poorly constructed meanderings that didn't help position the Packers leverage at all- quite the opposite- they only negated any bargaining power.
Truth or not, his statements were neither beneficial nor even benign to the Packers position.
I am fully aware of Murphy's career history, his degrees, etc.. You are not talking to one of the Packers bumpkins.
Murphy fucked this up. It was a case of poor PR. It was not a sound, advisable series of statements to make. It was not calculated. It was not smart. It was a clear moment of poor decision.
Swisch
March 11, 2023 at 04:51 pm
If it was a gentle nudging of Rodgers toward the Jets, a polite way of saying it's time for him to move on, then it seems a good quote by Murphy.
Unless there's some really good reason holding up matters, it's time for Rodgers to say yes or no to going to the Jets.
I think it was last Monday the Jets flew out four of their top management to woo Rodgers.
Is he now jerking around two teams and their fans?
Make up your mind, o wise and wonderful one.
Sheesh!
BirdDogUni
March 12, 2023 at 09:56 am
Yeah, a subtle hint to AR, those always work out great... SMH
Murphy shouldn't be anywhere near Football Operations and he should keep his %'in mouth shut.
Period.
barutanseijin
March 12, 2023 at 09:13 pm
It doesn’t matter. Rodgers is done in Green Bay regardless.
13TimeChamps
March 11, 2023 at 03:55 pm
Left tackle is the most important position on the OL, arguably the 2nd most important position on the offense overall. I have read over and over on this site that Gutekunst's success as our GM will be judged on Jordan Love succeeding as Rodgers' replacement, thus justifying his drafting him in the first place. If Love fails, many will blame Gutekunst.
Why then would he want to jeopardize Love's success by denying him the protection of the best LT in the league? Unless they get totally blown away by an offer for Bahk, which could happen I guess, it seems to make more sense to keep him and give Love the best chance to succeed.
Dagger
March 11, 2023 at 04:15 pm
great points 13 time dude!
Dagger
March 11, 2023 at 04:15 pm
great points 13 time dude!
Dagger
March 11, 2023 at 04:15 pm
great points 13 time dude!
13TimeChamps
March 11, 2023 at 06:56 pm
Alright. So much for trying to post something to encourage intelligent discussion.
I'm officially out until we actually have some news to discuss. Downvote (LH/GG) all you want. I'll be back when we actually have something to discuss.
Peace
Oppy
March 12, 2023 at 10:54 am
I don't like the idea of moving Bakh.
That being said, if packaging Bakhtiari with Rodgers is the only way to get the deal done, I'm 100% for it.
The single worst thing for the health of the Green Bay Packers over the next several years is failing to get Rodgers jettisoned in 2023.
It is that important.
Dagger
March 11, 2023 at 04:14 pm
I think you try and move him to the Jets. He is kind of like a ticking time bomb with his knee ready to go at any point. Let them enjoy the ends of their careers together in NYC.
Ferrari-Driver
March 11, 2023 at 09:41 pm
If we have Love behind center, I certainly don't want him to get the "David Carr" treatment and beat him to death. I'm counting on Gute to field an offensive line that will protect Jordan and give him a good chance to succeed and have his confidence grow as well.
Oppy
March 12, 2023 at 10:58 am
Who in the world could find a reason to dislike this post?
Coldworld
March 12, 2023 at 11:43 am
I could hazard a guess
BirdDogUni
March 12, 2023 at 01:10 am
No, we don't have to keep him. Like you said, if someone makes an offer you can't refuse, you can't refuse... So, we don't "have" to keep him no matter what.
Skoronski will probably end up playing Guard in the NFL. Many short armed OTs do, so I don't want to draft him in the first round period. (Granted, I could be wrong and he could be a Hall of Famer at LT, but I think it's more likely he ends up playing G...)
I think, no matter what happens, we should draft our LT of the future. My choice would be Broderick Jones, but that's just me. If we don't trade Bakh before the draft, we let Broderick learn behind Bakh until the trade deadline. If Jones is ready to take over, we can probably trade Bakh for more then than right now. If someone is trading for him before the deadline, they're probably desperate and more willing to pay our price for him.
Bottom line: We don't have to keep him, but we don't have to trade him either.
We do what is right for the Packers.
I know, we should do more of that...
PatrickGB
March 12, 2023 at 10:42 am
This link pretty much proves that Bahk is not going anywhere. https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2023/3/10/23634329/packers-restructur...
Oppy
March 12, 2023 at 11:02 am
Great information on the implications of his restructure in terms of cap hit if moved in 2023.
That pretty much settles it, Bakhtiari plays in GB this season unless he retires.
Coldworld
March 12, 2023 at 11:53 am
I think that’s actually just wrong in its conclusions.
Yes, by accelerating payments, we’ve made it so that we would carry more cap hit now pre June 1, but a trade can still be done after that (and the prior position wasn’t great either).
Not only my view of the details suggests this, TGR has explained how this actually makes him better set up to trade after that. We could have squeezed more current savings out if his deal but did not. We instead got what we could and yet set up the ability for any other team to pay to get him cheaply this year.
It doesn’t suggest the tandem trade is real, although all parties could agree to it with it not occurring until June 2 (we would have wanted that anyway). But I’ve never really expected the bundle was likely. Bakh has too much independent value. Obviously that means picks next year.
BirdDogUni
March 12, 2023 at 02:57 pm
TY Cw... I was going to try to say this very thing, but wouldn't have done so as eloquently...
I think this sets us up to trade him at the trade deadline if we want to... I'm all for hedging our bets. Even drafting a likely slam dunk LT prospect in the 1st round doesn't guarantee success, so having Bakh until the rookie is up to speed seems like the perfect path going forward, to me.