There are rumors swirling that the New York Jets have had internal discussions about attempting to trade for Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari. Their offensive line is, in a word, terrible, and they need to figure out a way to keep four-time MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers upright. If they cannot, having Garrett Wilson and Delvin Cook won’t do much good.
However, the notion that the Jets and Packers would agree to another trade this offseason is more a work of fan fiction in Madden than an actual scenario discussed by professional general managers.
The Green Bay Packers Would Be Financially Irresponsible to Trade David Bakhtiari This Season
Packers16 63 Hoffman
David Bakhtiari is the highest paid player on the Packers’ roster this year. A quick glance at the financials would show that he is owed over $21 million this season. Trading him, though, does not realistically free the Packers from paying him.
Due to the way his contract was restructured in the past, Green Bay would still owe him $15 million this year, even if he was not on the team. In reality, trading the three-time Pro Bowl left tackle would only save them $1.5 million this year.
The Packers would also have a $19 million dead cap hit this season and another $19 million cap hit in 2024. In other words, trading Bakhtiari would cost the Packers over $38 million with him not playing a single snap for the team in 2023.
On the other hand, if Bakhtiari plays out the season with Green Bay and then is cut during the offseason (his cap hit is $40 million in 2024), then the Packers would just have the one dead cap hit of $19 million in 2024. Of course, there is always a chance that they extend his contract after this season, too.
In any case, cutting him in the offseason or extending him to lower his cap hit is a far more financially responsible route than trading him to the Jets, or to anyone for that matter.
Even If the Green Bay Packers Traded David Bakhiari in 2023, Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets May Not Be the Team to Get Him
When the New York Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers, the swapped first round picks in 2023, sent over a 2023 second round pick, and sent a conditional second round pick in 2024 (becomes a first round pick if Rodgers plays 65% of the snaps this season).
Due to the conditional status of the pick they sent to the Packers, New York cannot trade either their first or their second round pick until after the season. At that point, one of those picks will go to Green Bay.
Following the first two round, New York has five more draft picks for the remainder of the draft. Any trade for any player, especially one of Bakhtiari’s caliber, is going to require them to move one or more of those picks, and none of them are higher than a third round pick.
It will take more than that to pry Bakhtiari away from Green Bay, especially at the aforementioned financial hit the team would take by trading him.
In the end, a trade of David Bakhtiari anywhere, especially to the Jets, makes no sense for the Packers.
Autographed Memorabilia from Wisconsin Sports Legends and Athlete
Wisconsin Sports Heroics is proud partner with Radtke Sports to offer autographed memorabilia. Brett Favre Guaranteed Authentic Collectibles and Memorabilia including signed jerseys, photos, and more at www.RadtkeSports.com USE promo code: WSH for FREE SHIPPING on your purchase. Some restrictions may apply.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
