The 2023 season never really got started for Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari. He had to go back under the knife after a cartilage issue developed in his surgically repaired left knee during Green Bay’s Week One win over the Chicago Bears, bringing his 2023 season to an early stop.
Prior to that injury, and amid the Jets’ offensive line issues in the preseason, there was speculation that he would be traded to New York to reconnect with long-time teammate and friend Aaron Rodgers.
That never happened, and unfortunately for the Jets and Rodgers, he suffered his own injury in week one, knocking him out for the whole 2023 season…or so we assume.
Bahtiari may have played his final game for Green Bay, since he has a cap cost of more than $40 million in 2024 and is coming off a catastrophic injury.
James Harrison had a falling out with Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Former Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert believes Bakhtiari will be reunited with Rodgers in New York next year, as a final hurrah for both players coming off significant injuries.
It may be early, but the Jets appear to have found a winning recipe on the offensive line.
Mekhi Becton is beginning to resemble the left tackle the Jets expected when they drafted him in the first round, while AVT has looked like a natural sliding out to right tackle. Robert Saleh has acknowledged that the organization has spoken with Vera-Tucker about making it a permanent transfer now that an interior lineman is simpler to obtain.
Rookie right-guard Joe Tippmann has come in and done an excellent job, and he is currently considered as one of the finest rookie lineman in the NFL. Although he may be asked to return inside once Connor McGovern has left…if Connor McGovern has left.
So it’s uncertain whether the Jets will be looking for a starting left tackle, especially because Becton is improving every week.
Bakhtiari has had three knee surgeries and will be 33 next season, despite the fact that offensive lineman are playing longer and longer.
Rodgers wields enormous power within the Jets organization, and it will be interesting to see what the Jets do if he drums up support for his old friend and comrade.
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