The Chicago Bears’ hierarchy, including general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, were visibly dissatisfied with the offense’s productivity in 2023. They fired almost the entire offensive coaching staff and determined that a quarterback change was necessary.
They brought in offensive coordinator Shane Waldron from the Seattle Seahawks, along with numerous members of Seattle’s offensive coaching staff. They selected a new quarterback and receiver, traded for another wideout, signed a new running back and tight end, and made adjustments to their offensive line.
Much more is expected of the Bears’ offensive this season, and while a lot depends on Caleb Williams’ ability to execute, there’s also something to learn from this play-calling statistic, which Warren Sharp tweeted today.
There may have been trust concerns between the offensive coordinator and the quarterback in 2023, but a conservative approach may have also led to the increased emphasis on the run.
Waldron was ranked 22 in this area last year with the Seahawks, among quarterback Geno Smith, receivers Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba, tight ends Noah Fant and Colby Parkinson, and running back Kenneth Walker III.
Do you think Waldron’s 2024 play calling will rank in the top or worst half of this statistic at the end of the season?
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Former Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari linked to a fierce NFC rival in free agency.
The Green Bay Packers’ roster has undergone substantial adjustments this summer. While many of their core players remain, the Packers did allow several to leave through free agency or outright release. Among the most prominent departures was running back Aaron Jones, who finished his career as the franchise’s third all-time top rusher. He was replaced by free agent Josh Jacobs and draft pick Marshawn Lloyd.
The Packers also let all of their safeties from last season walk as free agents. Darnell Savage has since signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jonathan Owens with the Chicago Bears, and Rudy Ford is still a free agent. To replace them, the Packers acquired free agent Xavier McKinney and chose three new safeties in the 2024 NFL Draft.
All of these veterans’ departures have one thing in common: Green Bay signed a high-profile free agent to be their unambiguous replacement. The same cannot be said of former left tackle David Bakhtiari.
Following the release of David Bakhtiari, the Green Bay Packers have no clear answer at left tackle.
The Packers decided to release Bakhtiari earlier this offseason to preserve nearly $20 million in salary cap space. Even if he had been healthy for the previous three seasons, there was a slim possibility he would have been brought back in 2024 with a cap hit of more than $40 million.
Unlike the other players described above, the Packers did not go out and find a clear replacement for Bakhtiari at left tackle. Sure, they signed free agency Andre Dillard, but he’s been a significant letdown in his career (he was a former first-round choice) and may not even make the roster.
Last year, Rasheed Walker, a 2022 seventh-round pick, started the 16 games that Bakhtiari did not. While he showed flashes, he also demonstrated enough inconsistency to make Green Bay wary of naming him the starter left tackle moving forward.
Instead, the Packers selected three offensive lineman this past year, including first-round choice Jordan Morgan. Green Bay currently does not have a clear contender for the starting left tackle position in 2024. Anyone on the roster in that position group has a chance of landing the job.
Former Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari could sign with the Dallas Cowboys.
Bakhtiari is now a free agent, so he can sign with any team. The good news for him is that his knee is recovering on time, and he will be ready for training camp. Unfortunately, he remains unsigned.
That doesn’t mean he won’t have admirers as training camp approaches. For example, one Dallas Cowboys insider believes the team would be wise to take a chance on the former Packers Pro Bowler.
“For years, Bakhtiari was the gold standard at left tackle. If there was one player who could compete with Tyron Smith of the Dallas Cowboys for league MVP, it was him. Bakhtiari, 32, was the only NFL player to receive first or second-team All-Pro honors in every season from 2016 to 2020. He was an excellent run blocker and pass protector, usually playing on an island to protect a quarterback who was not afraid to improvise behind him.
“Moving Smith from guard to LT isn’t the best option if Guyton struggles. And it’s unclear if Waletzko or Richards would be better than a struggling Steele. “Having a veteran like Bakhtiari available in relief would be far more reassuring.”
Fans may recall Bakhtiari’s dominance in a single game in 2023. If the Cowboys, or any team, can get him to have a healthy season in 2024, he will be an unbelievable steal of a signing.
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