Packers Pitch Nets Team $68 Million All-Pro Left Tackle
The Green Bay Packers offensive line is nearly back to full strength.
The injury report cleared the way for four of Green Bay’s five starting offensive linemen to play against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, October 9. The one notable absence is five-time All-Pro David Bakhtiari, who confirmed earlier this week that he will miss the rest of the season after re-aggravating a knee ailment that has troubled him for the past three years.
Rasheed Walker, a seventh-round pick last year, will play left tackle in his fourth game of the season on Monday Night Football. Walker has performed admirably in Bakhtiari’s absence, allowing two sacks and taking three penalties, but the Packers may be able to upgrade the position before the October 31 trade deadline if they so desire.
The Denver Broncos (1-3) have established themselves as buyers, most recently trading linebacker Randy Gregory to the San Francisco 49ers earlier this week. If Denver continues to struggle and shifts to a younger, less expensive squad, left tackle Garett Bolles may be useful to a team like Green Bay.
Broncos Not Ready to Deal LT Garett Bolles, but May Be Soon
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Broncos are a great contender to make further trades under the appropriate circumstances, albeit those circumstances have yet to materialize.
“Denver general manager George Paton is someone who will always field trade calls,” Rapoport said in a statement. “But Denver isn’t there yet.”
On Wednesday, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox included Bolles among his top-10 trade candidates in the NFL.
If teams call with trade offers, the Broncos will at least pick up the phone. Garett Bolles, a left tackle, might draw a lot of attention in the coming weeks.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bolles is a trustworthy starter who has allowed only one sack all season.
Though the Broncos won in Week 4, Bolles criticized the franchise’s incessant losing after the Broncos’ blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins the week before. While he is under contract until 2024, Bolles may be looking for a change of scenery right now.
Garett Bolles Potential Long-Term Replacement for Packers’ David Bakhtiari
If the Broncos do make Bolles available, a strong argument can be made that the Packers should pursue him aggressively.
By the time the 2023 campaign is finished, Bakhtiari will have played in just 13 of a possible 51 games over the previous three years. He is scheduled to count nearly $40.5 million against the salary cap in 2024 and Green Bay can save nearly $21.5 million by cutting or trading him over the summer.
Given Bakhtiari’s age, 32, and his history of injury, it is unlikely the Packers will bring the left tackle back on a new deal beyond next season. Bolles is only one year younger, but he is also a former All-Pro (2020) and has been healthier than Bakhtiari over the past several years.
Bolles is currently playing in the third season of a four-year, $68 million contract and could feasibly provide a long-term answer for the Packers at one of the game’s most crucial positions if the team decides to part ways with Bakhtiari.
