As Aaron Rodgers had a fresh start in New York this season, his former team Green Bay Packers also seems to be in a hunt for a youthful lineup. After trading Rodgers, another anticipated trading of the teams’ left tackle David Bakhtiari is hitting the headlines.
In the season the Packers are facing many challenges regarding their changing roster with Jordan Love taking the leadership role from Rodgers. Now the rumors of the possible divorce of David opens a new window of challenge.
Why Packers rumored to trade David Bakhtiari?
The off-season of the Packers was full of drama as multiple veteran free agents left the squad. The Packers team is continuously upgrading their system with new faces while keeping only Punter Pat O’Donnell (32), left tackle David Bakhtiari (31), and outside linebacker Preston Smith (30) on the roster over the age of 30.
Still, Bakhtiari is a name of a strong pillar for Jordans’ leadership and a protecting hand for the Packers. Albeit as they are rebuilding the teams’ atmosphere it may happen that they trade him this season. Again if they reconsider his relationship with the team, the Packers may wait for the next off-season to cut ties with him by releasing him.
Already Andy Herman of the Pack-A-Day podcast has set down three potential landing spots for Bakhtiari via trade: The New England Patriots, the New York Jets, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
David Bakhtiaris’ contribution to the Packers’ roster over the year
Following Aarons’ trade, the offensive tackle is now the eldest statesman of the Packers’ locker room who spent his whole NFL journey with the team. Throughout his 10 seasons, he assisted them to win six NFC North titles and reach the playoffs seven times.
Over the years, Bakhtiari proved that he is a master of his craft. The PFF declared him the second-best offensive tackle of the league after the 2020 season. Anthony Treash of PFF stated, “Bakhtiari’s run blocking was far better than anything he previously showed, as he shattered his career-high grade in that facet by 17 grading points (86.7)”.
Yet injury refrained him from presenting his best as over a seven-year stretch before his injury, Bakhtiari was firmly established as one of the top 3-4 offensive linemen in football.
Injury and advancing age have arisen as a major dominating factor for the Packers to have a further look at his contract. As the team did not spare an inch to get rid of Rodgers this season, their veteran offensive tackle also can see a bold move by the Packers.
