The Green Bay Packers received devastating news regarding their All-Pro left tackle, David Bakhtiari. According to Ian Rapoport, Bakhtiari required arthroscopic surgery on his knee on Wednesday of this week. He is scheduled to have another knee surgery in a few weeks. The hope is that he will be able to play at full strength in 2024.
From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: #Packers All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari was officially placed on Injured Reserve today following arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday, sources say. Another surgery is planned in the coming weeks, one aimed at allowing him to play at full strength in 2024. pic.twitter.com/uvfQQ8ZZOd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 28, 2023
Rapoport later posted that Bakhtiari has no plans to retire.
Green Bay Packers Fans Should Not Be Angry at David Bakhtiari
Ever since Bakhtiari first tore his ACL in practice on December 31, 2020, there has been a loud group of Packers fans that have criticized his drive and willingness to play. The claim, made in anger, is that he got paid his large extension and is now doing everything he can to stay off the field.
These fans are an embarrassment to the rest of Packers Nation. Bakhtiari needed three surgeries to get his knee right in the first place before he was able to come back. The surgery yesterday and the one scheduled for a few weeks from now will bring the total to five.
On his desire to play and why being hurt bothers him so much, Bakhtiari said:
“I would never leave them hanging out to dry. I signed up to play. I plan on playing. And when I can play, I’m going to play. Clearly, if I’m not playing, there’s something going on. It’s not like it’s been a secret. It’s something I’ve been battling with and it’s been shitty. It’s been weighing on me a lot.
“You think I don’t want to play? You think I want to be a great football player and then just disappear? (Heck) no. I appreciate Gutey [general manager Brian Gutekunst]. We’ve had plenty of talks. He’s been amazing with me and being even able to vent to him about it. It’s just been extremely stressful. But the human side, just been sitting here quietly and saying whatever it is, I just have to take it for what it is.”
Packers fans: Bakhtiari is a human being; not some machine designed for one’s entertainment. He has been playing football for his entire life; not being able to physically do so is mentally and emotionally draining.
David Bakhtiari’s Future with the Green Bay Packers
It is understandable to be angry and frustrated over the situation. It is not acceptable to be angry and frustrated at David Bakhtiari himself:
A. He is not robbing the fans of any money
B. Whether or not he plays has no direct effect on any fan’s life.
That being said, one has to seriously wonder what Bakhtiari’s future with the team could look like. Many have assumed that he would be released as a cap casualty next year as he will carry a $40 million cap hit in 2024.
As mentioned, Bakhtiari does not plan to retire and the goal is for him to be at full strength in 2024. But will that be for Green Bay?
Here’s where it gets complicated: if the Packers were to released him, Bakhtiari could file an injury grievance. And that could pay him his entire 2024 salary:
It’s too early, but if Bakhtiari is done in Green Bay the Packers can still be cap liable for his remaining contract if cut in 2024
Injury Grievance could pay his entire 2024 contract – 40% immediately hits the 2024 cap until decided
Injury Protection also in play for $2.050M
— Ken Ingalls – Packers Cap 💰 (@KenIngalls) September 28, 2023
At this point, who knows what will happen with the dollars; what is important is that Bakhtiari gets healthy. He has given so much of his time and body to the team; it is hard to see that his sacrifices have come at such a high personal cost to his health.
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