The Green Bay Packers have long been known for their consistent success, driven by a blend of strong coaching, a rich history, and some of the most talented players in the NFL. As one of the league’s most storied franchises, the Packers frequently reward their stars with lucrative contracts. However, as with any team, not every high-paid player always delivers on the expectations tied to their salary. Whether due to injury, inconsistency, or poor fit, some of the Packers’ highest-paid players have struggled to perform at the level expected given their substantial contracts.
In this blog post, we will dive into four of the highest-paid Packers players who have not quite lived up to their financial expectations in recent seasons. Keep in mind that the NFL is a complex league with many variables, and while these players might not have been performing at their peak, they are still incredibly talented athletes. That being said, let’s take a closer look at the four highest-paid Packers who haven’t been playing up to contract standards.
### 1. **Kenny Clark – Defensive Tackle**
**Contract**: 4 years, $70 million (extension signed in 2020)
Kenny Clark was a cornerstone piece of the Packers’ defense, and his contract extension in 2020 reflected that. As a defensive tackle, Clark is expected to dominate the line of scrimmage, create pressure on quarterbacks, and stuff the run. However, since his extension, he hasn’t consistently been the disruptive force many expected him to be.
Clark is undoubtedly talented, with quickness and strength that make him a nightmare for offensive linemen. But for a player of his caliber and pay grade, his statistics have been a bit underwhelming. While Clark has posted solid tackle numbers, he hasn’t consistently generated the level of pressure that justifies his top-tier contract. His sack numbers, for example, have not matched the expectations of a player who is paid among the highest at his position. Over the past few seasons, his sack totals have been relatively modest, and while he has been effective against the run, his pass-rushing impact has not been as pronounced.
This drop in production has been particularly evident as the Packers’ defensive line has had trouble consistently generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The team’s reliance on Clark to anchor that line has only made his struggles more noticeable. While he’s still a strong presence in the middle of the defense, the Packers need Clark to take his game to another level if they’re going to meet their goals and justify the massive contract extension they gave him.
### 2. **David Bakhtiari – Left Tackle**
**Contract**: 4 years, $92 million (extension signed in 2020)
David Bakhtiari is one of the premier offensive tackles in the NFL and widely regarded as one of the league’s best left tackles when healthy. His contract extension in 2020 made him one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the league, and for good reason — he has been the anchor of the Packers’ offensive line for years. However, injuries have plagued Bakhtiari over the last few seasons, and they have undoubtedly affected his ability to play up to his elite-level contract.
Bakhtiari’s knee issues have been well-documented, with his ACL injury in late 2020 and subsequent setbacks in the following seasons. While he has made attempts to return to form, his inconsistency in terms of availability and performance has become a point of concern. For a player with such a high salary, the Packers need Bakhtiari to be on the field more regularly and at full health. While he is still capable of dominant play when fully healthy, the prolonged absence and visible rust when he has played have led to questions about whether the team got full value from his extension.
The Packers have been forced to shuffle their offensive line due to Bakhtiari’s injuries, which in turn has disrupted the overall effectiveness of the offense. When the offensive line struggles, it affects the quarterback’s ability to perform, running lanes are less effective, and the offense as a whole is not as dynamic. Given his contract, Bakhtiari’s inability to stay healthy and consistently perform has been a major disappointment for Green Bay.
### 3. **Aaron Jones – Running Back**
**Contract**: 4 years, $48 million (extension signed in 2021)
Aaron Jones is one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL when he’s fully healthy. His combination of speed, vision, and pass-catching ability makes him a versatile weapon for the Packers’ offense. But since signing his four-year, $48 million extension in 2021, Jones has been unable to consistently play up to the level of his contract.
The Packers signed Jones to a lucrative deal to keep him in Green Bay for the long term, but injuries have derailed much of his potential impact. He has missed several games over the past few seasons due to a variety of injuries, and when he has played, his performances have sometimes lacked the explosive plays that made him one of the league’s top running backs. While Jones is still capable of big performances, there have been stretches where he has been largely ineffective, particularly in key moments of games when the Packers need their star running back to step up.
Another issue is the emergence of A.J. Dillon, who has split carries with Jones, and some fans and analysts believe Dillon could be just as effective (if not more so) on a less expensive contract. This dynamic has made it harder for Jones to show the elite value the Packers expected from him when they handed him the big extension.
The Packers’ inability to establish a consistent rushing attack — which is often a crucial part of their offensive identity — has raised questions about whether they made the right financial commitment to Jones. While he remains a respected player, his inability to stay on the field and consistently produce at the level of his contract makes him one of the highest-paid Packers underperforming at the moment.
### 4. **Jaire Alexander – Cornerback**
**Contract**: 4 years, $84 million (extension signed in 2022)
Jaire Alexander is widely regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, and the Packers’ decision to make him one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league in 2022 was justified by his previous performances. However, over the past season or so, Alexander’s play has not lived up to the expectations of his massive extension.
While Alexander has remained a solid cover corner, his performance has been inconsistent at times, particularly against elite wide receivers. For a player who is paid among the top at his position, his ability to lock down top-tier competition has not been as pronounced as it was earlier in his career. Furthermore, there have been times when Alexander has struggled with missed tackles or getting burned on key plays, which is uncharacteristic of a player with such a high salary.
One of the issues with Alexander’s play has been his inability to consistently make game-changing plays. Interceptions, forced fumbles, and pass deflections — these are the types of plays that elevate a cornerback’s value, and they have been fewer and farther between in recent seasons for Alexander. While he’s still a very good corner, he has yet to be the dominant shutdown defender the Packers need him to be given his contract.
### Conclusion
The Packers’ highest-paid players are all undeniably talented athletes, but some have yet to live up to their hefty contracts. Whether it’s injuries, inconsistency, or underperformance in critical moments, players like Kenny Clark, David Bakhtiari, Aaron Jones, and Jaire Alexander have not fully delivered on the expectations set by their big paydays. For the Packers to return to elite status in the NFC, these players will need to find ways to stay healthy, stay consistent, and make a greater impact on the field. With several of these players being cornerstones of the team, the Packers’ success hinges on their ability to perform at the level their contracts suggest they should.
