Offensive lineman David Bakhtiari of the Green Bay Packers. /CFP
Offensive lineman David Bakhtiari of the Green Bay Packers signed a four-year contract extension, announced the team on Sunday. According to ESPN, this deal that could be worth up to $105.5 million, making Bakhtiari the highest-paid player of his position in NFL history.
That answered the question on many minds when they saw the happy emoji posted on his Twitter on Saturday night.
The base value of the contract is $103.5 million including $92 million of new money (the amount added on top of what he was already making this year) and $62.8 million of guaranteed money. Signing bonus is $30 million. Bakhtiari will receive over $37 million in the first year and $64.5 million in the first three years.
Offensive lineman David Bakhtiari #69 of the Green Bay Packers works against defensive end Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, September 26, 2019. /CFP
The annual salary of $23 million beat the $22 million of Laremy Tunsil who signed a three-year, $66-million deal with the Houston Texans in May.
"That was something that I've been chasing for a while. In having the talks with my family, to have that monetary validation for all the hard work that I've put in really meant a lot and that was something that I can hold on to and have that title for the rest of my life. That is something special that I've been chasing really ever since I got in the league. I have goals, very lofty ones, and I always wanted to say that I was the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history and today I get to say that," said Bakhtiari.
Offensive lineman David Bakhtiari (L) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after Bakhtiari scores a touchdown in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lambeau Field, November 15, 2020. /CFP
Since he joined the Packers in 2013, Bakhtiari has been named to the Pro-Bowl twice and First-team All-Pro once and Second-team three times. Though he only played six games this season and is still recovering from broken ribs, the Packers still gave him this historic deal so he can always be there protecting their quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"I was privy to some of the conversations that were going on and was wondering where we were going to get to before the end of this year, obviously wrapping him up seemed to be of some benefit to the organization long term, best left tackle in the game, future Hall of Famer probably. Very happy for him," said Rodgers.