The Green Bay Packers certainly have some decisions to make this offseason. Most of the press and rumors surrounding these decisions will center on quarterback Aaron Rodgers until he make a decision on whether or not he wants to play in 2023. If he decides he wants to play, the NFL world will wait to see what the Packers will do: trade him or roll with him for at least one more year.
That being said, there are plenty of other decisions that the Packers need to make. They are currently $16 million over the cap for 2023. This means that players will either need to be restructured or cut. One of the biggest cap hits on the team belongs to David Bakhtiari. One Chicago sports writer has convinced himself that the Packers are likely to cut Bakhtiari. When they do, he urges the Bears to sign him.
Could the Green Bay Packers Lose David Bakhtiari to the Chicago Bears?
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In his article on the Chicago sports site Sports Mockery, writer Eric Lambert wrote:
“Another salary cap crunch looms for the Packers. They are $16 million over the salary cap. Moves must be made to fix this issue before they can handle other business this off-season. Contract expert Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus believes there is a real possibility the team parts ways with Bakhtiari, who missed six games in 2022 thanks to lingering knee issues from the torn ACL in late 2020. Having two young prospects, Yosh Nijman and Zach Tom, ready to step in likely furthers this idea.”
It is easy to see to surface arguments that would make Bears fans convince themselves that this is possible. First, Chicago desperately needs offensive linemen. Second, they have the most salary cap space of any team in the NFL this offseason. If one were to look at those arguments in addition to the Packers’ own salary cap situation, one could be fooled into thinking that this is a possibility.
The truth of the matter, though, is that David Bakhtiari is very much going to be on the Green Bay Packers next season. Yes, he does have a high salary cap hit in 2023. However, the Packers can restructure this deal and save $7.9 million. In combination with other restructures and cutting others, Green Bay will have no issue freeing up the space they need.
Furthermore, no matter who is under center for Green Bay in 2023 is going to need to have the NFL’s best left tackle protecting him. Aaron Rodgers and Bakhtiari are great friends. If Rodgers returns to Green Bay, one best believe Bakhtiari is not going anywhere. If Love is promoted to starter, the Packers themselves will want Bakhtiari protecting their young quarterback.
To be clear, Bakhtiari is not going to play in 2023 under his current salary cap hit. They will restructure his contract. After the injuries that have plagued the offensive line for the past two seasons, there is no way Green Bay would cut a Pro Bowl caliber left tackle who is finally healthy.
It just won’t happen.
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FAQs
Will the Green Bay Packers Make the 2023 NFL Playoffs?
According to sportsbooks, the Green Bay Packers are currently ninth overall (+3000) to win the 2024 Super Bowl. This is the highest among 2022 non-playoff teams, signaling they’ll be playoff-bound.
Who Do the Green Bay Packers Play in 2023?
Aside from their divisional opponents (Vikings, Lions, and Bears), whom they place twice, the Packers play the Saints, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Chargers, and Rams at home in 2023. They’ll travel on the road to face the Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders, Giants, and Steelers.
Who Owns the Green Bay Packers?
The team is owned by Green Bay Packers, Inc., a publicly owned and traded non-profit. There are currently over 360,000 stockholders. Mark Murphy currently holds the role of Packers president and CEO, with plans to retire in 2025.
How Many Super Bowls Have the Packers Won?
The Packers have won four Super Bowls. These victories include Super Bowl 1 and Super Bowl 2 after the 1966 and 1967 seasons. Their next title came in Super Bowl 31, following the 1996 season. Their most recent championship was Super Bowl 45, crowning them the winners of the 2010 season.
