With the continued questions at the offensive tackle position, the Jets could start eyeing potential trade targets to try and solve the problem. One of those targets may have been another one of Aaron Rodgers’ buddies in Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari. Key words here: “may have been.”
On Friday, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said the team is not trading Bakhtiari at all.
“First off all, we’re not going to trade David,” Gutekunst said, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “So let’s just get that out of the way because I know there’s been a little bit of chatter about that, and it’s not going to happen.”
The Packers has already taken $5.5 million of Bakhtiari’s 2023 base salary and his $9.5 million roster bonus and turned them into a $15 million signing bonus this offseason.
Bakhtiari is a five-time All-Pro tackle, but is now still managing his knee. He has undergone four surgeries since he tore his ACL near the end of the 2020 season.
This would then yet another reunion between a former Packer and Rodgers. The quarterback even posted a coy photo on his Instagram that included a “cheeky” tagging of Bakhtiari.
With issues at the offensive tackle position for the Jets, questions starting coming up about whether the Jets would move Alijah Vera-Tucker out to right tackle. The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt also looked at potential trade options, including a pair from the Arizona Cardinals in Josh Jones and Kelvin Beachum. They still seem willing to give Mekhi Becton a shot at right tackle and Becton is starting to warm up to playing the position.
Head coach Robert Saleh said Friday he’s not panicking yet about the group. “I think individually we have a good set of guys,” he said. “All of them can play football. It’s just becoming a unit. I don’t think there’s a panic.”
We should get another chance to see some of the line in action Saturday when the Jets host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in New York’s third preseason game. They are 1-1 so far, notching a win last week against the Carolina Panthers and a loss in the Hall of Fame Game against the Cleveland Browns.
