Aaron Rodgers and David Bakhtiari were close pals during their time together with the Green Bay Packers. The two were together for more than ten years, which helped them develop into good friends off the field as well.
Aaron began a fresh chapter with the New York Jets this season after an 18-year sting. Bakhtiari, on the other hand, stayed tied with the Packers. This season, the Jets signed a lot of Packers players, leading to speculation that Bakhtiari may join his longtime friend. The theory took an intriguing turn after Aaron’s mysterious Instagram story, though, the Packers GM was bold in replying about their defensive tackles’ trade.
Aaron Rodgers’ IG post fuels trade speculation for Packers star
In 2020, the 10-time Pro Bowler and Bakhtiari accomplished an outstanding feat by being named to the same First-Team All-Pro. Despite being on a new ship, their friendship on and off the field remains the same.
However, in a recent Instagram Story, A-rod posted a photo of him with some current and ex-packers players. His fans were moved by the post till they noticed something strange in it. Although David, the four-time MVP, was not present in the image, he tagged the Packers’ left tackle.
Aaron Rodgers’ IG story 🤔 🤔
Zoom in and he tagged @DavidBakhtiari pic.twitter.com/SCL2g8J8S8
— uSTADIUM App (@uSTADIUM) August 17, 2023
Fans were curious as to whether David’s trade between the Jets and Packers was in the works after the star Jet’s odd action. Since Rodgers has a reputation for being meticulous with his messaging, the rumors started to make headlines before the Packers’ general manager closed the door on the potential deal.
Packers GM denies David Bakhtiari rumors
The Packers have the veteran left tackle’s contract until the 2024 campaign. According to Spotrac, he will have a $21.2 million cap hit in 2023 and a $40.4 million cap hit in 2024.
Although trading him would result in a dead cap of about $38.1 million, team general manager Brian Gutekunst dispelled all trade rumors involving him.
“First off all, we’re not going to trade David,” Gutekunst said. “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.”
#Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said today that they aren't going to trade LT David Bakhtiari, despite recent speculation.
“We’re not going to trade David, so let’s get that out of the way. It's not going to happen." pic.twitter.com/p0NRaHICgY
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 18, 2023
The team handled a tremendous task on the five-time Pro Bowler this season to prepare for the duty of guarding Jordan Love’s blind side who has been with the Packers since 2013.
It marks the first season in the two-time All-Pro’s career without Aaron. It will be interesting to see if, like Rodgers, he could tie a solid knot with Love on the field.
