The Green Bay Packers have reportedly signed offensive tackle David Bakhtiari to a record-setting four-year deal, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it's a four-year contract north of $105 million.
Bakhtiari got a $30M signing bonus, the largest ever for an offensive lineman and he has another $30M+ available in March roster bonuses within the next 28 months. Just a massive deal. The practical guarantee is least $62.8 million before the end of the 2022 season. https://t.co/n0w3grP4ze
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 15, 2020
The contract extension will guarantee the lineman $62.8 million, but could be worth up to $105.5 million with incentives. The base salary of over $23 million per year will guarantee that the former fourth-round draft pick will be the highest paid offensive lineman in league history.
While the 29-year-old was set to be a free agent at the conclusion of the season, there had been rumors that the Packers would be unable to afford his contract demands, given the impending deals of nose tackle Kenny Clark, and cornerback Corey Linsley among others. Though Bakhtiari had expressed a willingness to enter the free agency market, the tackle had made clear that his preference was to stay in Green Bay, given not only the team's on-field success, but his close personal friendship with Aaron Rodgers.
Since taking over the left tackle position in 2013, Bakhtiari has served as the cornerstone of one of the steadiest offensive lines in the NFL over the past seven seasons. While the mobility and quick release of Rodgers has certainly helped, Bakhtiari has spearheaded a line that has long been successful in keeping their play caller upright, ranking second in the NFL this season in sacks allowed per game, with only 1.2.
The finalizing of the contract extension, marked an eventful weekend for the lineman, as Bakhtiari was also cleared to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, for the first time in over a month following a chest injury. With their left tackle back in the fold, the Packers were able to survive a surprisingly resilient Jags team, and won, 24-20 for their seventh victory of the season.
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