David Bakhtiari will protect a new quarterback in 2023 as the Green Bay Packers adjust to the Jordan Love era. Bakhtiari has acknowledged that many feel next season will be a challenge for the team as they rebuild after Aaron Rodgers is traded this offseason. One Packers insider thinks the team’s transition plan for 2023 could include Bakhtiari’s successor due to the All-Pro’s contract.
Is 2023 David Bakhtiari’s last season with the Green Bay Packers?
On Monday, Dane Brugler with The Athletic came out with his seven-round mock draft. Brugler has the Packers drafting Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski. Skoronski is considered to be a guard or tackle in the NFL. Brugler’s colleague at The Athletic, Matt Schneidman, thinks Skoronski would start this season on the interior offensive line. However, Schneidman wrote Skoronski could eventually replace Bakhtiari because of the cap space they could save by releasing the All-Pro next offseason:
“Keeping first-year starting quarterback Jordan Love upright and healthy is paramount, after all. And perhaps Skoronski is Bakhtiari’s successor at left tackle, where he started 33 games at Northwestern. Cutting Bakhtiari after this coming season, when he’ll be 32, would free up $21.5 million in salary cap space for the Packers.”
The Packers could move on from Bakhtiari this offseason. The team would save $17.5 million in cap space by releasing him after June 1. However, keeping Bakhtiari on the squad this year would allow a young player like Skoronski to learn the NFL game before starting at left tackle. The Packers still have to decide what they plan to do on the offensive line next season.
The Packers signed offensive tackle Yosh Nijman on Monday for a one-year deal. The Packers wouldn’t likely want to part with Nijman and Bakhtiari. Although bringing in a player like Skoronski, who could be paired at tackle with Zach Tom in 2024, could give the Packers some breathing room depending on how contract negotiations go with Nijman, especially if Bakhtiari isn’t in the cards for Green Bay after this season.
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