David Bakhtiari has high expectations for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets in 2024
The connections between former All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari and the New York Jets are obvious. The offensive lineman has a close bond with quarterback Aaron Rodgers from their ten seasons together with the Green Bay Packers, and that professional relationship turned into a friendship. When Bakhtiari got cut by the Packers earlier this year, […]
The connections between former All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari and the New York Jets are obvious. The offensive lineman has a close bond with quarterback Aaron Rodgers from their ten seasons together with the Green Bay Packers, and that professional relationship turned into a friendship.
When Bakhtiari got cut by the Packers earlier this year, it was natural to imagine the Jets would be an interested team. Since then, however, general manager Joe Douglas has added veteran tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, filling in the positions for the most part.
On the Adam Schefter podcast, Bakhtiari talked about Rodgers and the Jets, and his expectations are high.
"I don't think it's very wise for any betting man to say that Aaron Rodgers is not going to make the playoffs," Bakhtiari said.
The left tackle is still a free agent at this point, but it's because teams aren't calling. After years struggling with a sequence of knee issues, the lineman wants to make sure he's truly healthy before making a decision.
"My goal right now is just to make sure that I not only fully recover, but I can withstand and play the game that I want to play, but also play and be there for a team no matter what," Bakhtiari mentioned. "I'm not a reliever guy, I am your cornerstone guy. Someone that's not only going to play in September but in December and into February and obviously hopefully for another couple of years."
The Jets are now in a very particular situation, because Tyron Smith is expected to play left tackle. Asked if he would be willing to switch positions, Bakhtiari said his desire is to play where he always played, but a chance to compete for a Super Bowl is what truly moves him at this point.
"I am and love being a left tackle, but I do also want to win a Super Bowl," he added. "That's something that is really, really big too. That's one of the biggest things that's kind of evaded me and has been extremely elusive to this point in my career."
A fourth-round pick out of Colorado in 2013, David Bakhtiari became a starter for the Packers right away. Throughout his 11 seasons in the NFL, he was named a First-Team All-Pro twice, a Second-Team All-Pro three times, and a Pro Bowler three times. Now, though, his priority is to feel well.
"I've been gritting through it for three years. I was in constant pain," Bakhtiari pointed out. "I'm so happy now to be on the other side of it and get the actual surgery that I needed because my knee was not in a good place."
The Jets are projected to have Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses as the starting tackles, and first-round pick Olu Fashanu is the immediate backup. There might not be a space for David Bakhtiari on the Jets' roster, but if an opportunity presents itself, the experienced player wants to be ready to go.
Five potential landing spots for David Bakhtiari
Left tackle was released by the Packers last month
