Packers 2017 Recap: LT David Bakhtiari
You have to have a special mentality to play on the offensive line. It requires a mix of confidence, an attitude of selflessness, and discipline. It’s a position where the spotlight only shines on you after failure and never after success.
In other words, Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari.
Despite missing a quarter of the season because of a hamstring injury, Bakhtiari remains an elite pass defender who somehow manages to improve his skills every year.
2017 Stats
- Started 12 games
- 2nd team, AP All-Pro left tackle
Expectations going into the season: Moderate
Expectations were: Exceeded
What we said last season
Packers 2016 Recap: LT David Bakhtiari – Playing all 16 regular season games for the third time in his four year career, Bakhtiari showcased incredible technique protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blindside. He was never flustered, and even on the rare occasion that he gave up a pressure, it was never a regular issue.
Analysis: Injuries keep Bakhtiari sidelined during tremendous 2017
An early season hamstring injury kept the Packers left tackle out of four games. Green Bay, also without starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga at the time, found themselves in dire need of capable offensive tackles. By Bakhtiari’s return Week 5 against the Vikings, Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone in the early going.
As a result, Bakhtiari and Rodgers played just two full games together.
The left tackle protected backup quarterback Brett Hundley, then, for the majority of his 2017 season. Bakhtiari continued to hone his skills as a pass defender, earning the respect of his peers and media outlets along the way.
Pro Football Focus named Bakhtiari the NFL’s top left tackle, crediting him with a measly 12 total pressures (one sack, two hits, nine hurries) across 455 pass-block snaps.
Off the field, Bakhtiari took on a new role as a leader in the locker room. The left tackle became the team’s second-longest tenured starter on the line following the recent departures of guards Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang.
Bakhtiari showed up to the first padded practice of training camp this season with a WWE-style championship belt and established a fun tradition. Both offensive and defensive lineman sparred throughout the summer in the hopes of hoisting the belt.
