Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari, who has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, said on Friday that he will have another knee surgery, thus ending his 2023 season. A former Packers quarterback, on the other hand, feels Bakhtiari has played his final game in Green Bay and will eventually leave to join an old buddy next season.
Shortly after Bakhtiari’s declaration, former Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert predicted on social media that the two-time All-Pro will join the New York Jets for the 2024 season, reuniting with Aaron Rodgers.
Bakhtiari out for the year, plans to return in 2024.
My guess – in New York.
Double redemption tour for two old-pals. It’s all in the script. 📜
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) October 6, 2023
Benkert described it as a “Double redemption tour,” but Bakhtiari would have to be fit enough to participate, which isn’t assured. Bakhtiari has played in only 13 games in the three seasons after tearing his ACL in 2020, hampered by recurring setbacks. Bakhtiari, on the other hand, is certain that he will be able to return by the beginning of 2024.
While it was widely assumed that Bakhtiari’s past ACL injury was the source of his problems, he put those speculations to rest during a press conference on Friday. Bakhtiari told Milwaukee Sentinel Journal’s Tom Silverstein that he was dealing with a femoral condyles issue, which offers cushion to the knees, and that it was unrelated to his 2020 injury.
The one thing Bakhtiari is unsure about is what the Packers’ intentions are for him if he is able to return next season. Bakhtiari stated that a decision on his future in Green Bay will be made “later,” but it remains a huge elephant in the room.
