David Bakhtiari and 3 other stars Packers could surprisingly trade in 2023
Which Green Bay Packers star players could get surprisingly traded in 2023?
The Green Bay Packers might not say it publicly, but they are in a period of transition. They have moved on from several longtime starters and are getting younger. As things stand, the Packers have three players on the roster 30 or older. That's it.
Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Jarran Reed, Dean Lowry, and Robert Tonyan have all found new teams this offseason. Marcedes Lewis and Mason Crosby remain unsigned, and the Packers' draft class indicates they won't be back, either.
Green Bay's Super Bowl window with Rodgers is shut, and GM Brian Gutekunst is smartly rebuilding the roster with young talent around Jordan Love. That means more veteran players could soon be departing Green Bay.
Which Packers star players could get surprisingly traded in 2023?
Note: Salary cap numbers are according to Over The Cap.
Packers could trade David Bakhtiari
Even if David Bakhtiari retired now and never played another snap, he would go down as an all-time Packers great. He has nothing to prove. Bakhtiari has enjoyed a legendary career in Green Bay, shutting down elite pass rushers on a weekly basis, earning his way to three Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams.
However, the Packers will have to do something about Bakhtiari's contract next year. His cap hit rises to $40.58 million in 2024.
The Packers can't do anything yet. If they traded Bakhtiari today, they would lose $16.83 million in cap space. However, June 1 is the important date. If the Packers were to trade Bakhtiari after June 1, they would save $2 million this year and create an additional $21.5 million in 2024.
It would also give Bakhtiari the opportunity to finish his career with a contender. Hey, Aaron Rodgers could do with another tackle after the New York Jets missed out on the top prospects in the first round.
If the Packers find themselves out of contention before the trade deadline, maybe trading Bakhtiari to a contender could be an option.