The New York Jets reportedly have had discussions about trading for Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari. Jets head coach Robert Saleh has admitted the offensive line is a problem during training camp. He recently made comments appearing to indicate the Jets have plans to improve their offensive line.
Saleh said the Jets have “some cards in our back pocket” they can use to bolster the one unit that could hold them back from a Super Bowl run this season. Saleh’s comments came after quarterback Aaron Rodgers took a $35 million pay cut to give the Jets breathing room to make additions to the roster for a deep playoff run.
The Jets have spent some of that cash. They signed former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook this week. While the skilled positions on the Jets’ offense are among the best in the NFL, the offensive line is bad.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8), center, waves to fans after practice.
The New York Jets’ offensive line is…bad. Aaron Rodgers needs help
Episode two of HBO’s show Hard Knocks, featuring the Jets, aired Tuesday night. The Jets’ poor offensive line play was a significant plot point in the episode. Rodgers was unable to complete passes behind the offensive line during their joint-team practice with the Carolina Panthers last week.
Saleh called out the offensive line in a team meeting. He used colorful language to describe their play against the Panthers. Saleh basically said it doesn’t matter if their skilled players are the best in the NFL.
If they can’t give Rodgers a chance to throw the ball, they’re going to lose football games. Here’s the clip of Saleh’s message:
Robert Saleh ripped on the Jets offensive line on Hard Knocks last night 😳
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) August 16, 2023
Jets have discussed trading for Green Bay Packer LT David Bakhtiari
Offensive tackle has been awful for the Jets. And that’s the position Rodgers’ friend and former teammate, Bakhtiari, happens to play. According to Armando Salguero with Outkick, the Jets and Rodgers have privately discussed trading for Bakhtiari:
I have one idea. A good one. It’s one the Jets have actually discussed in passing, according to a source…
So a possible solution: Green Bay left tackle David Bakhtiari.
It’s been reported Rodgers gave up $35 million in salary at the start of training camp, in part to give the Jets operating room to add more players. It’s been speculated the Cook addition was made possible because of that give-back.
In fact, Rodgers has privately mentioned Bakhtiari as a possible Jets addition. That has included to Bakhtiari himself, per a source.”
Packers insiders tend to believe the Packers will not part with Bakhtiari this season. One can’t be sure, though. Many insiders didn’t think Rodgers would end up in New York early in the offseason.
The Jets are going all-in this season. That will make them desperate if they don’t see improvement when their soon-to-be 38-year-old left tackle Duane Brown passes a physical and comes back off the PUP list.
The Packers shed veteran talent left and right before the regular reason. Why not trust another young player on the offensive line if they can get the Jets to overpay for Bakhtiari, who still has a “fluid” situation of his own in Green Bay?
After all, the Packers need Rodgers to play 65 percent of the Jets’ offensive snaps.
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