In terms of being an on-paper Super Bowl 58 contender, the New York Jets have it all. They’ve got the play-faking quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. They’ve got game-changing offensive weapons like Garrett Wilson. And their defense, led by Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, remains stout and elite.
But New York’s fatal flaw, at least for the time being, might be its offensive front. Veteran Pro Bowl-caliber starter Duane Brown is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list, while key cogs like Laken Tomlinson have missed intermittent practice time here and there. Throw in former first-round pick Mehki Becton playing like a huge question mark, and the Jets and Rodgers could be in trouble.
So it’s no wonder rumors about a David Bakhtiari trade to New York have started to bubble.
Bakhtiari is, of course, one of Rodgers’ best pals on the Green Bay Packers and, when healthy, has played at an All-Pro level as one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles. On Wednesday night, Rodgers not-so-subtly tagged Bakhtiari in an Instagram post that had nothing to do with him, seemingly fanning the flames of these trade rumors.
Didn’t realize this initially, but Aaron Rodgers also tagged David Bakhtiari in this post — tagged him on his rear end to be exact. 🤔 https://t.co/iy0J58c7ad pic.twitter.com/bBwZCfkTxq
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 17, 2023
Hmm, that might mean more than meets the eye.
Look, I don’t know how realistic a Bakhtiari Jets trade is. I do think the Packers could try to offload the 31-year-old veteran because he hasn’t been completely healthy and available since the 2019 season. He makes more sense for a team trying to win now than a Packers squad trying to successfully transition to a young quarterback in Jordan Love.
But, according to Over The Cap, Bakhtiari has a salary cap hit of over 21 million in 2023. That number will rise to over 40 million in 2024. Barring some significant restructuring, I don’t see how the Jets finagle a deal with just over $16 million in team cap space.
Bakhtiari would be a ton of fun in New York, continuing a movement of veterans chasing a ring with Rodgers. It just doesn’t seem likely — no matter what strings Rodgers pulls behind the scenes.
This was how Twitter reacted
Bro seen how shambolic that Jets oline is and said “I need you big bro” https://t.co/6hAxAX9dnH
— GOOD JOB MARCUS🍊 (@marcusdavis904) August 17, 2023
Lmao. Rodgers sure loves the dramatics. Regardless of what happens with Bakhtiari… Rodgers being Rodgers with the theatrics. Nothing new! https://t.co/JELDkl1YAA
— Tampa Tones (@TampaTones) August 17, 2023
Isn’t this tampering? Asking for a friend https://t.co/6ehcsMXM9p
— Jordan Sanchez (@LocoSanchez23) August 17, 2023
Go get Bakhtiari. Go get Martin. Protect the King. https://t.co/YOT7yxytCY
— neil (@neil_demarco) August 17, 2023
https://t.co/ckXkGC4AjK pic.twitter.com/1Kk1wnl2eM
— Ryan Hickey (@Ryan_Hickey3) August 17, 2023
Tampering?
— Nolan Weeks (@nolanweeks26) August 17, 2023
"He is not going to send a message like that without a real meaning into it." 👀
—@HDouglas83 on Aaron Rodgers tagging David Bakhtiari on his Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/cdAN4hegq3
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 17, 2023
Adams is definitely 50/50 at worst to join the Jets by week 8. That or in March. Bakhtiari imo is LT 2024. Rodgers isn’t done bringing his crew. https://t.co/EB7qHO2cJX
— Eric 🔜 Miami TCG Convention (@EricG_89) August 17, 2023
Rodgers isn’t worried about the OL because the jets are going after Bakhtiari Adams is going to get traded at the deadline for their post season push
OL of Bak, Laken, McGovern, AVT, Brown, Mitchell, Becton
WR core Adams, GW, Davis, Lazard
Plus RB + TE core with a Top 3 defense pic.twitter.com/K7ULog09xB— Dom Pellegrini (@DommyPellegrini) August 17, 2023
