Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari isn’t sweating the fact that he’ll enter this season on the final year of the contract extension he signed in 2016.
Bakhtiari, a four-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler, is trying to keep his focus on the 2020 season, especially during a different and difficult offseason.
“I’m not really thinking about what goes into the next step because I need to make sure I take this right step that’s happening right now,” Bakhtiari said during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday.
Bakhtiari declined to reveal if he and the Packers were having discussions about a new contract but said he’d be open to having conversations during the season.
Bakhtiari has prior experience in this arena. Early during the 2016 season, Bakhtiari – then playing on the final year of his rookie deal – agreed to a four-year, $48 million extension, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid offensive linemen (at the time) and keeping him in Green Bay through the 2020 season.
“I look to how I did it in ’16,” Bakhtiari said. “I’m under contract for another season and that’s what I’m focused on.”
Still only 28 years old and one of the NFL’s most dominant pass-blocking offensive tackles, Bakhtiari is in line for what should be a massive payday. According to Over the Cap, Bakhtiari’s current deal ranks 12th in average value among left tackles. Laremy Tunsil’s new deal with the Houston Texans averages $22 million per year, and three other left tackles – Anthony Castonzo, Taylor Lewan and Nate Solder – all make $15 million or more per year.
Bakhtiari has made four straight All-Pro teams, including a first-team selection in 2018. Pro Football Focus recently ranked Bakhtiari as the 42nd best player entering the 2020 season, highlighting his placement as one of the NFL’s top offensive linemen. A fourth-round pick in 2013, Bakhtiari has started 106 of 112 possible games and nine playoff games. He has allowed only 28 total sacks despite playing over 7,000 career snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
Bakhtiari is one of several important free agents for the Packers following the 2020 season, including defensive tackle Kenny Clark, running back Aaron Jones, center Corey Linsley and cornerback Kevin King.
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