Packers' Left Tackle Not Landing with Jets Anytime Soon
All it took was for Aaron Rodgers to harmlessly tag an old friend in his Instagram story and the trade rumors erupted.
With some suspecting the New York Jets are looking at external options to possibly upgrade their offensive tackle depth, there has been no shortage of imagined scenarios that bring Green Bay Packers' bookend David Bakhtiari to Florham Park.
Unfortunately for Jets' fans, Packers' general manager Brian Gutekunst doused cold water on any potential trade hopes while speaking to reporters from the podium on Friday.
"First off all, we're not going to trade David. 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," said the Green Bay boss.
Bakhtiari, a 2013 fourth-round draft pick, has spent his entire NFL career as a Packer. He's a five-time All-Pro, including two first-team selections.
The Instagram activity that sparked the excitement came from Rodgers on Wednesday evening after the Jets' joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Having returned from a minor ankle injury, receiver Garrett Wilson hauled in a touchdown pass from the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback on the first play of 7-on-7 team competition. Obviously happy to have Wilson back in the fold, Rodgers posted a practice photo of himself and his WR1 with a text overlay that read "Always love my 17s."
Showing social media savvy, the 39-year-old Rodgers stealthily tagged Bakhtiari's Instagram account on the posted photo. One has to zoom in on the quarterback's buttocks as the black text is tough to see over the dark green uniform pants.
Instagram / @aaronrodgers12
Although Rodgers would probably love to reunite with his former blindside protector in the Garden State, to interpret the Instagram tag as an indication that a trade is potentially in the works is a major reach as the four-time NFL MVP routinely interacts with Bakhtiari through the social media app.
As for the Jets' current situation at offensive tackle, it remains a work in progress.
Veteran Billy Turner and second-year pro Max Mitchell have been taking first-team reps at the tackle spots while rotating sides in recent weeks.
Penciled in as the starting left tackle, elder statesman Duane Brown remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Meanwhile, Mekhi Becton was at right tackle when Zach Wilson was in at quarterback during Thursday's open practice.
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