The defending NFC North champions may have a hole to fill up front. Could the Green Bay Packers add an insurance policy for left tackle David Bakhtiari?
Three seasons all resulting in 13 wins and a division title. Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur had made it look somewhat easy and owns a combined 39-10 regular-season record in three years on the job.
But the team had some issues in 2021. And having three-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari available for only one game was certainly concerning. Could it be a problem this coming season? The story remains somewhat fluid.
"Our plan all along was to hold him from this time of the year and make sure he’s continuing to get stronger and ready to go hopefully for training camp. This is part of our process right now. Matt LaFleur (via Zach Kruse of PackersWire.com)"
Now roughly two weeks later, the head coach had a somewhat different take (via Kruse).
"Time will tell. We fully anticipate him being ready to go, but, you know, we did last year as well. I think time will tell. We feel good about the work he’s put in and where he’s at."
So what if the nine-year pro isn’t ready this summer? Do the Packers have a backup plan? Could general manager Brian Gutekunst opt for a veteran free agent? Here are three suggestions.
Green Bay Packers option no. 3: Riley Reiff (Cincinnati Bengals)
This past season, the 23rd overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions played in 12 of the Bengals’ first 13 games and made a dozen starts at right tackle.
But he wound up missing Cincinnati’s final four regular-season outings with an ankle injury and wasn’t available for the club’s four-game postseason run.
Reiff spent the first nine years of his NFL career in the NFC North, first with the Lions (2012-16) and the following four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. That kind of familiarity could be a plus.