Buffs in the NFL: David Bakhtiari says goodbye to Green Bay Packers
David Bakhtiari's time with the Green Bay Packers has come to an end.
The former Colorado Buffaloes standout and All-Pro offensive lineman was released by the organization that drafted him on Monday. Bakhtiari made it clear he wasn't ready to end his career after 11 years with the Packers.
"For whatever happens next," he wrote, "I look forward to it." Bakhtiari wrote in a post.
As one of the league's best left tackles, Bakhtiari put together five All-Pro seasons but has an equal number of surgeries on his ailing left knee with the latest coming last year. He hasn't fully recovered since he tore his ACL in 2020. In the past three seasons, Bakhtiari hasn't played a complete schedule for the Packers, leaving many to wonder if he would return in 2024.
Bakhtiari was entering the final year of a mega four-year, $92 million extension. He was scheduled to make over $20 million of non-guaranteed money this season.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst will be on the hunt to upgrade the offensive line and could do it early in next month's NFL Draft. Green Bay has five picks in the first three rounds with three in the top 60 overall.
"I want competition at all five spots," Gutekunst said about the offensive line.
Bakhtiari will be looking for his next opportunity but will look to be back to full strength before signing with a new team. Many believe he'll try to be reunited with Aaron Rodgers in New York. However, the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and New Orleans Saints could be interested in signing him for a veteran minimum.