When the Green Bay Packers traded Aaron Rodgers and moved on to Jordan Love at quarterback, many experts felt it would make sense for the team to also trade All Pro offensive tackle, David Bakhtiari.
But GM Brian Gutekunst was wise not to deal Bakhtiari and to bring him back for the 2023 season. Here are four reasons why the Pack should not trade Bakhtiari this season:
David Bakhtiari is Healthy Again
When healthy, Packers LT David Bakhtiari is considered one of the best pass blocking offensive linemen in the NFL. He’s no slouch at run blocking either. In his career, the former Colorado star earned a Pro Bowl berth three times and All Pro honors twice.
Bakhtiari’s knee injury cost him nearly all the 2021 season and the start of the 2022 campaign, but he’s healthy again and says the knee injury is behind him. He has learned to manage the knee and while his practice time is limited, it did not affect his ability to play in games much after the early part of the season.
Bakhtiari missed four games late last season due to an emergency appendectomy but that was a fluke thing that had nothing to do with the knee.
A healthy Bakhtiari makes the offense better.
All Pro Tackles Don’t Grow on Trees
Offensive tackle is considered a premium position in the NFL. It’s arguably the most important position on offense after quarterback. Left tackle is even more vital as he usually protects a quarterback’s blind side from oncoming pass rushers.
When you have one of the best in the business, you hold on to him as long as you can. While the salary cap may prohibit the Packers from keeping Bakhtiari beyond the 2023 season, keeping him this year while they can fit him under the cap makes sense.
The Packers Need to Evaluate Jordan Love
The Packers need to evaluate Jordan Love in his first year as a starting quarterback. After Love signed a one-year extension this offseason, the window to evaluate Love is 2023 and 2024.
Head coach Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst know it would be wasteful to try to evaluate Love under poor conditions. Having Bakhtiari anchor the offensive line gives Love protection on his blind side and allows the coaching staff and front office the chance to see what he can really do.
To see Love struggle because he was constantly under pressure would not be a fair evaluation for the former Utah State star.
Bakhtiari gives the offensive line stability and leadership and allows the coaching staff the chance to fairly evaluate Love this season.
The Packers Can Still Contend for the Playoffs
The Packers know the NFC North is wide open this season. Detroit is favored but remains unproven. The Vikings lost a lot of players and were very lucky last year in close games and the Bears are still rebuilding.
Last year, the Packers finished 8-9 while Rodgers struggled and was very average statistically. If Love can be the 16th best out of 32 NFL starting quarterbacks, the Packers can contend for a playoff berth in the wide-open NFC. Keeping Bakhtiari gives them the best chance to realize that possibility.
If the team gets off to a terrible start, they can always deal Bakhtiari before the trade deadline. If not, keeping him gives the team the best chance to qualify for the playoffs.
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