The Green Bay Packers’ plans for All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari for both this season and the future have never been more uncertain, and head coach Matt LaFleur did not offer many reasons for hope on Monday.
If Bakhtiari will play for the Packers again this season — or ever, LaFleur refused to say less than a week after Bakhtiari was placed on injured reserve and underwent surgery, his fourth on his left knee in less than three years.
LaFleur replied, ”
Yeah, I’ll let Dave comment on that.
“I am aware that he intended to speak with you guys later.
He can discuss his timeline, so I’ll let him.
The five-time All-Pro, 32, only played in one game against the Bears in the season opener before experiencing new knee issues.
Bakhtiari claimed that, despite missing the Week 2 game in Atlanta, he never seriously considered retiring.
But that was before the most recent operation.
Adam Stenavich, the Packers’ offensive coordinator, said on Monday, ”
He put in so much hard work to try and get back.”.
“You just feel bad for him because of everything he has gone through.”
After blowing out his left knee during practice on December 20, Bakhtiari has only participated in 13 games since the regular season of 2021 began. 31, 2020.
This past summer during training camp, the Packers gave him days off whenever he required them, treating him with kid gloves. He didn’t practice during the week leading up to the season opener; he still participated.
Just six weeks prior to his injury, in November 2020, Bakhtiari agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract extension.
In each of the previous two offseasons, the team changed the terms of that contract.
His base salary of $5.5 million and a $9.5 million roster bonus were turned into a signing bonus by the Packers in March in order to meet salary cap requirements.
As a result of that restructuring, his cap number for 2024, the deal’s final year, increased to $40.565 million.
Bakhtiari’s nonguaranteed base salary ($20.2 million) and bonuses ($1.3 million) for 2024 would be eliminated if the Packers release or trade him the following offseason, saving them $21.5 million in cap space. He would subtract $19,065,000,000 from the cap for the following year.
In addition to Bakhtiari, the Packers’ offensive line is also plagued by injuries.
Right tackle Zach Tom played last week against the Lions despite a knee injury, while left guard Elgton Jenkins missed the previous two contests due to a sprained MCL.
Jon Runyan, the right guard, sprained his ankle against Detroit and will probably be listed as questionable for the Las Vegas Raiders game the following Monday night.