The Green Bay Packers have had to part ways with several fan-favorite players over the past couple of years. Last offseason, the team bid adieu to future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, beloved wide receiver Randall Cobb, well-respected tight end Marcedes Lewis, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer in Mason Crosby, and several others.
This offseason, the Packers cut two more players that, one point, fans had hoped would play their entire careers with Green Bay. These players, running back Aaron Jones and left tackle David Bakhtiari, will likely remain fan favorites no matter where they play. This is evident by the fact that Jones signed with the Minnesota Vikings and Packers fans on social media still profess their undying love and appreciation for everything he did for Green Bay.
The same will likely be true of Bakhtiari, wherever it is that he may sign. And according to one online sportsbook, he may not be going very far.
The Chicago Bears Are Betting Favorites to Sign Former Green Bay Packers Left Tackle David Bakhtiari
Bakhtiari, of course, is recovering from another knee surgery that ended his 2023 NFL season after just one game. However, he is reportedly on track to be fully recovered and ready to contribute to any NFL team by the time training camp begins. According to Steve Silverman of Clutch Points, one sportsbook has the Chicago Bears as the betting favorites to land the former All-Pro in free agency:
“According to BetOnline, the Bears are one of four teams that have the best shot of signing Bakhtiari. The website lists the Bears at +500 to lure Bakhtiari if he doesn’t return to the Packers.
“After Chicago, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are the second choice at +600. The Baltimore Ravens are third choice at +800, and the Dallas Cowboys are fourth at +900.”
Ironically, the only game Bakhtiari played last season was against the Bears, and he had Chicago fans so up in their feelings that he was getting unfriendly hand gestures thrown his way (and he threw a few back at the fans, too).
The Bears landing Bakhtiari would certainly make sense as they continue to try to surround their prize rookie quarterback Caleb Williams with the best team possible.
Would Former Green Bay Packers Left Tackle David Bakhtiari Really Sign with the Chicago Bears?
As hard as it would be to see Bakhtiari playing for the Bears, Packers fans would likely cheer him on much like they did Marcedes Lewis when he signed with Chicago both last offseason and this year.
However, Bakhtiari may not be so keen on joining the Bears. Recently, the five-time All-Pro told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he wants to block for the next Super Bowl MVP this upcoming season. He knows that he logically only has another couple of years left to play in the NFL, and winning a Super Bowl is his number one goal at this point.
That is not going to happen in Chicago.
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