Ever since the Green Bay Packers traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, fans and analysts alike have wondered if David Bakhtiari would also be traded to join him. Those thoughts gained traction earlier this week as the Jets’ offensive line was ripped by head coach Robert Selah on Hard Knocks. According to reports out of Jets training camp, Rodgers was “sacked” six times during Wednesday’s practice.
As Packers fans know, Rodgers is adept at getting the ball out quickly. If he was sacked that many times in practice, there is a serious issue with their offensive line. Rumors began circulating that the Jets were discussing among themselves possibly trading for Bakhtiari.
After all, the Packers have Yosh Nijman, who is an above average swing tackle, as well as Zach Tom who could play right tackle, left tackle, or center at a high level in the NFL. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter shot down all trade rumors including Bakhtiari during his most recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
The Green Bay Packers Have No Intentions of Trading David Bakhtiari to the New York Jets (or Anyone)
Pat McAfee asked Schefter is fans should read anything into Rodgers tagging Bakhtiari in a viral Instagram post that started a flurry of trade rumors. The caption was “Always love my 17s,” and he tagged Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson and his former Packers top target Davante Adams. Across Rodgers’ own butt, he tagged Bakhtiari.
Schefter said he does not know what meaning there could be in Bakhtiari’s name being tagged across Rodgers’ butt. However, he did say:
“I haven’t heard that the Jets are trying to trade for David Bakhtiari nor have I heard that Green Bay is interested in moving on from him.
“What I can tell you, having seen David last week, you know 10 years ago, me, him, and a couple other Packers offensive linemen shot a Gillette razor commercial… and it was the first time I had seen him in person up close…
“And we spoke for a while in the Packers team hotel last week in Cincinnati and I can tell you this: he feels great! Which is welcome news for, I would assume, the Green Bay Packers. Like, this is the best he has felt in a long time. He’s ready to play. He’s ready to go. And that’s a big time reinforcement for Jordan Love.”
While limited to just 11 games last season, Bakhtiari did not allow a single sack when he was on the field. Indeed, a healthy Bakhtiari is still one of, if not the, best left tackles in all of football. When he proves that one the field of play this year, it will make the Packers’ decision in regards to his contract next offseason an interesting and difficult one.
Aside from that, though, the Packers have everything invested in the Jets having a bad year. If Rodgers plays 65% of New York’s snaps in 2023, the conditional second round pick they sent Green Bay as part of the trade package will become a first round pick.
Adding Bakhtiari would make the Jets a better team, something that Green Bay does not want. The worse record they have, the higher draft pick Green Bay will have.
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