Packers’ GM Brian Gutekunst Shuts Down David Bakhtiari Trade Speculation

Cheesehead TV

Green Bay, Wisconsin (PSF) - Last week, host of ESPN morning show Get Up! Mike Greenberg made an interesting proposal for his beloved New York Jets to help their offensive line. The Jets should try and trade for Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari. Despite the Jets’ stacked roster, the main concern heading into the 2023 season with sky-high expectations has been the offensive line. A two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time second team All-Pro would definitely help ease the concerns of Jets fans. It potentially makes sense given Bakhtiari’s recent injury issues that have caused him to play in just 12 games the past two seasons combined with his large contract worth over $26 million per year. After all, Aaron Rodgers took a pay cut for the Jets to go out and get great players. Bakhtiari is very close with Rodgers and would without a doubt protect him with all his might. The Jets also already have eight former Packers on their roster. So why not make it nine with one of the best offensive lineman in the NFL when healthy, which Bakhtiari now is?

Well unfortunately for Mike Greenberg and Jets fans, a trade for David Bakhtiari would have to be agreed upon by Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst, who made his stance on the issue abundantly clear. When speaking to reporters on Friday August 18, Gutekunst declared: "First off all, we're not going to trade David. 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."

Although a trade potentially makes sense given the Jets’ situation and Bakhtiari being a part of Aaron Rodgers’ inner circle, the Packers clearly want Bakhtiari around to protect Jordan Love and believe he can still do so at a high level. He is on track to enter the regular season fully healthy for the first time since 2020. So at the absolute least, David Bakhtiari will enter the 2023 season as a member of the Packers and not the Jets or anyone else. He is untouchable, as pretty much all franchise left tackles should be.