Could this be the last time we see LT David Bakhtiari suit up in a Green Bay Packers uniform?
The Packers placed Bakhtiari on injured reserve after he underwent knee surgery. This is Bakhtiari’s fourth surgery since he first suffered a torn ACL in a practice on New Year’s Eve in 2020.
Since then, Bakhtiari has played in only 13 career games, and it might be time to wonder if the end is near for Bakhtiari.
Zach Tom will be the left tackle in the short term, but in the long term? Left tackle could be a need for the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In Monday’s press conference, Head Coach Matt LaFleur didn’t say whether or not David Bakhtiari is expected to play again this season.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur is uncertain about David Bakhtiari’s return this season.
Green Bay Packers: Head Coach Matt LaFleur was asked if we can expect to see David Bakhtiari again this season.
“I’ll let Dave comment on that. I know he wanted to talk to you guys later on.”
Matt LaFleur asked if David Bakhtiari is returning this season:
"I'll let Dave comment on that. I know he wanted to talk to you guys later on."
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 2, 2023
His time in Green Bay is over. He was a cornerstone left tackle for almost a decade, but the best ability is availability, and he hasn’t been able to stay healthy the past three seasons. Green Bay should have addressed the left tackle position in the draft because it was iffy to expect Bakhtiari’s knee to hold up for 17 games when it has given him issues the past two seasons.
If what Matt LaFleur said after the Atlanta game is factual, they should have drafted or signed a left tackle they could rely on heading into the season. Zach Tom is a good option. He played left tackle at Wake Forest, but would the team prefer to slide him back to one of the guard spots and address left tackle in the offseason?
In Bakhtiari’s absence, Green will have a make-shift offensive line, which doesn’t bode well for young quarterback Jordan Love. The good news is Green Bay doesn’t face an elite pass-rushing group outside of Pittsburgh and Detroit for the rest of the season, so Jordan Love should have time to deliver the ball to his young weapons.
The future of David Bakhtiari with the Green Bay Packers remains uncertain, but if Green Bay remains in a position to vie for a playoff spot, it would be vital to get Bakhtiari back before the end of the season.
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