4 massive questions for Packers heading into 2024 offseason

1. Is David Bakhtiari's time in Green Bay over?

Retaining David Bakhtiari would make a lot of sense if not for his contract. Despite his recent injury history, Bakhtiari has still played at an All-Pro level when healthy. He only played one game this season, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Bakhtiari's recent surgeries were "aimed at allowing him to play at full strength in 2024."

But the Packers are in a difficult position. While they would love Bakhtiari to get healthy and continue his excellent career in Green Bay, his upcoming salary cap hit is a problem.

Per Spotrac, Bakhtiari's deal will currently come with a $40 million cap hit in 2024. It's the final year of his contract, so there is no magic way to lower that number by restructuring the deal. A contract extension would allow them to spread out remaining cap hits, but there's no way the Packers are giving Bakhtiari a new deal, given his age and injury history.

The most realistic scenario is the Packers releasing or trading Bakhtiari, a move that would save around $21 million on this year's cap. They would still pay $19.07 million in dead cap, but that's unavoidable. Green Bay will pay that, regardless.

A release seems the most likely solution, but perhaps the New York Jets would be willing to offer a draft pick to ensure he is reunited with Aaron Rodgers.

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