The offensive line for the Green Bay Packers may have been the best in the NFL when the season began, but injuries have changed everything.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, David Bakhtiari will be out for at least the next three games due to a recurring knee problem and might not be able to play again this year.
The NFL Staff at Bleacher Report suggested on Monday, October 2, that the Packers trade for disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Jonah Williams to take Bakhtiari’s place for the remainder of this season and possibly beyond.
After Orlando Brown Jr. was signed by the Bengals, Williams requested a trade. due to his desire to continue playing left tackle in free agency, presumably.
Williams might finally get his wish now that David Bakhtiari has undergone surgery and is anticipated to miss the remainder of the year.
Rasheed Walker, who was filling in for Bakhtiari in his first two games, was effective, but he struggled against Detroit, particularly in pass protection, where Pro Football Focus (PFF) had him responsible for two sacks.
The Packers could use a seasoned pro to cover Jordan Love’s blind side, and the four-year pro would be a better option than the seventh-round pick in 2022.
Jonah Williams, an offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, suffers a cut above his eye during a matchup with the Cleveland Browns in the NFL in October 2020.
Williams is a long way from being a fully functional Bakhtiari, but he could still help the left side of the line, which is also without guard Elgton Jenkins because of a leg injury he sustained in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Williams has started for the Bengals on the right side this season, where, according to PFF, he has allowed 2 sacks on 246 snaps.
Over 1,101 snaps at left tackle in 2022, Williams allowed 12 sacks and was flagged for four penalties.
Out of 71 players who have qualified at the position through four games this season, PFF ranks Williams as the 39th-best tackle in the NFL.
Williams isn’t cheap, but Bakhtiari will be much more expensive in 2024.
The previous No. The 2019 No. 11 overall pick out of Alabama is currently in the fourth year of his $17.6 million rookie deal.
Williams’ contract included a fifth-year team option that the Bengals chose to exercise.
This is a standard clause that applies to the first-round picks’ contracts and will pay the tackle $12.16 million in 2024.
David Bakhtiari Cannot Be Maintained on the Roster by the Packers in 2024.
Given his recent history of injury issues, David Bakhtiari of the Green Bay Packers will be too expensive to keep in 2024.
Following a contract restructure in the offseason, Bakhtiari will also enter the final year of his $92 million contract and incur a salary cap hit of nearly $40.5 million. Bakhtiari has missed 29 of the Packers’ last 42 regular-season games, and he will undoubtedly miss the remaining three, if not the entire season.
By cutting or trading Bakhtiari over the summer, Green Bay will save close to $21.5 million and will be considered to have committed professional malpractice given the five-time All-Pro’s career trajectory.
Given all of his health issues and his advanced age—Bakhtiari will be 33 when the 2019–2020 season begins—his trade value would probably be low. Even if the Packers can find a suitor, they would almost certainly be responsible for a sizable portion of Bakhtiari’s 2024 cap hit and would probably only receive paltry compensation.
Williams’ signing as a bridge player for the subsequent two years makes sense if Green Bay intends to let Bakhtiari go in the upcoming offseason.
Williams’ career could be revitalized and make him a long-term option for Green Bay with a new situation and another chance at left tackle alongside what has been a talented Packers offensive line when healthy.
Since joining the Bengals, he has participated in and started 46 out of a possible 54 regular season games.
If not, the team has two options: try to trade Williams before the 2024 trade deadline, or sever ties without incurring any costs after that season.