All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari is inactive for the Green Bay Packers in their Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Second-year tackle Rasheed Walker is starting in his place, and things haven't gone too well in the first quarter.
On a third-and-11, Walker didn't block anyone. Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss went unblocked and made an easy sack on Jordan Love.
Replacing an All-Pro like Bakhtiari is never going to be easy, but Packers fans have been left wondering whether Yosh Nijman, who has more starting experience, would have been the better option to start at left tackle.
Packers fans have reacted on Twitter.
Packers fans already want David Bakhtiari's replacement benched vs. Falcons
Here is the video of the sack on third down:
Hello, Kaden Elliss!
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 17, 2023
📺: FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/YP4wLyIxdC
Packers fans aren't impressed. It has been a tough start for the offense against a talented Falcons defense. Not having Bakhtiari available is a huge loss for Green Bay, especially considering Walker's inexperience. Packers fans want to see Yosh Nijman step in for Walker.
Things didn't look pretty for Rasheed Walker on their first two drives.
— Wendell Ferreira (@wendellfp) September 17, 2023
Surprised the backup left tackle for Green Bay is Rasheed Walker and not Yosh Nijman. Nijman has a good track record.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) September 17, 2023
PLEASE put Yosh Nijman in at tackle, I can't watch another snap of Rasheed Walker
— Eli (@22Brew22Crew22) September 17, 2023
Maybe Yosh Nijman's experience would be good here.
— Kyle Birling (@KJBD11) September 17, 2023
That sack is on Rasheed Walker
— Ken Ingalls - Packers Cap 💰 (@KenIngalls) September 17, 2023
Rasheed Walker is still looking for someone to block. Might've been best to take Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss, who lined up across from Walker on a late blitz. Instead, Elliss rushed untouched and sacked Jordan Love on third-and-long.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) September 17, 2023
It's understandable. Walker surprisingly moved ahead of Nijman on the depth chart during the preseason, but Nijman has far more NFL experience, having started 21 games for the Packers over the past two seasons. He has always provided solid play at tackle, so it's surprising Green Bay didn't start with him in this game.
The Packers may need to give Walker more help if he stays in the game. Will Nijman get an opportunity in the remainder of the game? The offensive line needs to play a lot better to have a chance of beating the Falcons.