4 Packers free agents who could be forced into retirement

3. David Bakhtiari

David Bakhtiari isn't a free agent (not at the time this post is being written, anyway) but I think he still qualifies here.

Bakhtiari, for a stretch from 2016-2020, was one of the best offensive tackles in all of football. He was a Pro Bowl player, All-Pro selection, and the blindside protector of Aaron Rodgers during some of his best seasons. The Packers have traded Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers in consecutive offseasons, and they could be saying goodbye to another former franchise staple here in 2024.

Bakhtiari will ultimately end up being released unless he completely modifies his contract. Right now, the Packers could add $20 million in cap space just by releasing Bakhtiari. And just like anybody who carries the "former Packer" label, you expect they could generate interest from the New York Jets where Aaron Rodgers presently has influence over the roster.

But even Rodgers's influence over the roster might not be enough to get Bakhtiari a contract with the Jets. The Jets need stability at the left tackle position, and Bakhtiari has played a total of 13 games over the last three years combined. He was limited to one game in each of the 2021 and 2023 seasons.

It's possible that Bakhtiari is done in the NFL at this point.