This is a winning post.
Some of the people blasting the Packers for extending his previous contract are ignorant blowhards who don't know the timeline of events regarding Bakhtiari. However, they don't let facts stand in the way of letting their keyboards run unchecked. Fools.
Since I assume that I was one of the one of the "fools" that you were addressing with this ditty, I'll bite.
My biggest issue with the Bahk new contract back in 2020, wasn't questioning his talents, it was questioning the timing of the whole thing. I felt the Packers should wait until the season ended and then possibly negotiate a new deal. Also, I didn't use hindsight with my arguments. I felt that way before he was resigned, after he was resigned (before his injury) and still feel they jumped the gun.
I will put the timeline of my discussion below. My last thought, you may think I am an "ignorant blowhard" that doesn't "let facts stand in the way of letting their keyboard run unchecked", but almost 3 years later, who was right and who was wrong?
Timeline:
10/18/20: Bahk goes down in the 3rd Q. against TB w/chest injury.
- - - - - Bahk misses the next 3 games (Packers go 2-1)
11/14/20: Packers and Bahk enter into a new contract, with 8 games still remaining in the 2020 season.
12/31/20: Bahk blows his knee out in practice
My Posts:
Ive been wondering the same thing.... The offensive line is definitely not as good without Bakhtiari.... but I think right now a better defense would help a lot more than getting Him back in the lineup.
Yup and obviously the Packers don't need to make this decision immediately and can see how the season plays out. Prior to Bahks injury, I think most people would say "No question you have to resign him at all costs". After the last 3+ weeks, the Packers have some data to look at as to just how important he is to the team. This isn't to say he isn't, because he is, but the $20+ million/year he will probably get, could be more important to spend elsewhere.
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Things potentially get very dicey on the O-Line next year if we have neither Linsely or Bakhtiari under contract. The only way I can fathom that happening is if the staff thinks they have an adequate center behind Linsely and either Yosh Nijman is ready to play or Jenkins/Turner can adequately play LT.
I think the recent injury to Bahk and having to play without him, might have been a blessing in disguise. Now granted, the Packers didn't fair so well in that Tampa Bay game when he went out in the 3rd Q, but I don't think they were fairing that well prior to him leaving either. The games since have been a mix bag of results as they have faced less challenging defenses (than the Bucs) and inserting different options along the OL.
If nothing else the Packers are getting a good idea of what life without Bahk might look like. You are correct, it would be tough to lose both Linsley and Bahk at the same time, but we are also talking about a combined $32M probably that the Packers could use to potentially fortify the OL as well as other positions.
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Don't get me wrong, I'm in favor of re-signing Bakhtiari but it will be difficult to fit his contract under the cap. In addition him being injured last and this season should result in the Packers being hesitant to offer him a huge deal.
If the Packers do resign Bahk, its going to have to be under a contract that shoves a lot of money out into the future. They could do that with a number of players, but they also need to keep an eye on the following year (2022) when Davante and JA will both have expiring contracts. Obviously, they can exercise JA's 5th year, but that won't be cheap either.
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The Packers re-signed Bakhtiari with seven games left before he was set to become a free agent. I would hardly classify that move as too early.
Actually, with 8 regular season games + playoffs still left to play on his old contract.
We are going to have to disagree on this one. Again, this is just my philosophy on contracts. I would prefer to finish the current one before entering into the next one.
Have to wonder had that been the case with Bahk, what the new terms would be?
Would you have signed Jones to a new contract on 11/14?
Guaranteed contracts, especially for the amounts that are now being doled out on some of these contracts, are just one aspect of the NFL contract system that I do not like.
Just a little something to cheer everyone up.
I don't really think you were defensive in your reply, I WAS however, needling you.
