3 Contract Extensions the Packers Need to Prioritize Right Now

The Green Bay Packers boast one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. No matter where you look, on both offense and defense, there are Pro Bowl level talents. However, in order to keep this core around for as long as possible, the franchise had better start entering contract negotiations with a few of these players.

With this in mind, let's highlight three extensions that Green Bay needs to prioritize before the 2020 season gets underway. Full disclosure: star edge rushers Za'Darius and Preston Smith did not make the cut because both are signed for at least two more seasons.

3. Jaire Alexander

Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander / Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Jaire Alexander has quickly established himself as one of the NFL's best young players. At just 23 years old, there's no telling what his ceiling may be. His 20 incompletions forced last season ranked second among all cornerbacks, and his contested-target percentage and forced incomplete rate both rank in the top 10 at the position across the last two campaigns. That's absurd for a player that entered the league in 2018. Alexander's rookie contract has him signed with Green Bay through 2021, but it would undoubtedly behoove the Packers to present him with an extension before it becomes a headache.

2. Kenny Clark

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark / Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Kenny Clark is entering the final year of his rookie contract after the franchise exercised his fifth-year option for the 2020 season. The 24-year-old budding star earned a Pro Bowl nod last year and has really been a productive player for the Packers since he became a full time starter on the defensive line in 2017. During that span, Clark has recorded 172 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles. Those are ridiculously efficient numbers for a DT. Locking down the UCLA product to a long-term deal should be a no-brainer decision for Green Bay's front office.

1. David Bakhtiari

Green Bay Packers OL David Bakhtiari / Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The importance of the left tackle position cannot be understand in today's NFL and David Bakhtiari just so happens to be one of the best around. Despite entering the league back in 2013, the the Packers LT is still just 28 years old and has plenty of his prime remaining. However, his current deal expires after the 2020 season. Bakhtiari is a two-time Pro Bowler, received an elite 78.6 grade from Pro Football Focus last season and has played 98% of the offensive snaps over the last two campaigns. Nothing more needs to be said. Green Bay needs to extend the Colorado product as soon as humanly possible.