The Green Bay Packers have several important players they need to re-sign this offseason and not a lot of cap space to do so. This is where their All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari decided to help.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Bakhtiari recently decided to restructure his deal with the Packers in order to give the team some badly-needed salary cap relief. According to the agreement, the 29-year-old player’s $11.1 million roster bonus was converted into a signing bonus and spread over the length of his current contract. This move opened up $8.3 million for Green Bay.
Bakhtiari, who inked a four-year, $105.5 million contract extension last year, confirmed the news on social media.
By restructuring Bakhtiari’s contract, the Packers secured a short-term relief but will have to take an additional $2.768 million cap hit in each of the next three years. Still, the implications might not be as important as the benefit, considering the projected salary cap reduction in 2021.
The organization will most likely use the extra money to try and lock Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones and All-Pro center Corey Lindsey to new deals. It wouldn’t be surprising if Green Bay also dips their toes into the free-agent market and tries to sign a big-time name like three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt.
