What to monitor during Packers OTAs
What to monitor during Packers OTAs
The next phase of the Packers' offseason program begins on Monday, this one involving all the coaches.
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The next phase of the Green Bay Packers' offseason program begins on Monday, this one involving all the coaches. The team will hold organized-team activities on May 20, 21, and 23, giving the coaches their most extensive look at the roster so far in 2024.
Today's' edition of The Leap highlights what to monitor during this week's OTAs and provides an update on a notable former Packers player.
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What to watch for during Packers OTAs
Jason B. Hirschhorn: The first and most important matter: Does Jordan Love participate in OTAs? While the quarterback has given no indication that he plans to skip this week's voluntary workouts, that can quickly change given the circumstances. Love and the Packers continue to negotiate over a contract extension, one that will pay him at or near the top of the market. If Love wants to apply more pressure on the team, skipping OTAs could accomplish that.
Other signal-callers in Love's situation have taken such an approach, including one also currently in talks for a new deal. According to CBS Sports, Tua Tagovailoa might stay away from the Miami Dolphins' OTAs this week, a move "related to his contract status." Absent a new deal, Tagovailoa will earn about $23.2 million in 2024, a far cry from the $11 million Love will pocket this year, including a workout bonus. The agency Athletes First represents both quarterbacks.
Of course, Love and his representation might decide to show up as a sign of goodwill. The Packers enter 2024 with considerable momentum and, by most accounts, a lot of positivity in house. They certainly don't want to upset that with a protracted contract stalemate.
But Love bet on himself before last season and delivered a stellar performance. He has every reason to expect a major payday and, if progress on an extension looks slow, he has plenty of motivation to force Green Bay's hand.
Elsewhere, keep an eye on where the Packers' key offensive linemen spend their time. During earlier portions of the offseason program, 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan worked exclusively at left tackle, his position at Arizona. The coaching staff has already indicated that Morgan will cross-train at some point, and that process could begin this week.
In a related matter, where Zach Tom lines up bears monitoring. Offseason reports suggested that the Packers might move him to the interior, but offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich has subsequently expressed his preference to keep Tom at right tackle. The third-year pro has already played all five O-line positions in his NFL career, though the majority of his work has come on the edge.
What, if anything, is going on with David Bakhtiari?
JBH: While nearly two weeks remain before June 1 arrives and a mid-offseason wave of activity begins to percolate, those dynamics don't entirely apply to David Bakhtiari. The former Packers left tackle hit the market without restriction on March 11, allowing him to sign anywhere without impacting another team's future compensatory picks. Still, from a football perspective, little to no activity has registered on the Bakhtiari front in the time since, leaving his NFL future entirely uncertain.
To some, the lack of news might signal that the future Packers Hall of Famer and possible Pro Football Hall of Famer has played his final snap. Certainly, Bakhtiari has nothing left to prove on a football field. After entering the league as a fourth-round pick, he almost immediately emerged as a starting left tackle, eventually earning two first-team All-Pro selections and three more second-team nods. For nearly a decade, Bakhtiari ranked as one of the premier players regardless of position. Considering the medical issues that have plagued him since his New Year's Eve ACL tear three seasons ago, it wouldn't come as a shock if he prioritized his long-term health and retired.
Still, that doesn't necessarily mean that Bakhtiari will hang up the cleats right now. At the time of his release, a league source told The Leap that Bakhtiari remained in the early stages of recovery from his 2023 surgery. Only two months removed from that departure, Bakhtiari still might not have reached the point where he can pass a team physical. If so, potential suitors will continue to wait for the former All-Pro to heal and see where he stands later in the calendar.
And that approach makes sense for all parties. Bakhtiari has little need for the NFL's offseason programs, and teams know that, health permitting, he can step on the field and deliver. Bakhtiari received minimal practice work each of the last two seasons and still managed to perform at a high level when active.
Independent of Bakhtiari's recovery, last month's draft also likely hindered his market. Teams in need of quality offensive tackles likely preferred to draw from a heavily coveted rookie class before considering a soon-to-be 33-year-old who has missed 41 games over the past three seasons, including playoffs. But with the draft in the rearview mirror and not every team shored up along the offensive line, Bakhtiari's market could begin to heat up once his knee allows.