The Green Bay Packers officially announced the release of five-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari on Monday, ending an 11-year run for one of the NFL’s most decorated and successful offensive linemen of the last two decades.
The Packers separately announced the releases of Bakhtiari and running back Aaron Jones, two of the best players in the franchise’s history.
As was the case with Jones, general manager Brian Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur commented on Bakhtiari’s departure in a press release.
Gutekunst called Bakhtiari “one of the premier tackles of his generation and one of the best linemen in the history of the Packers.” LaFleur described him as “one of the best offensive linemen that has played in the NFL” and a “cornerstone” of the Packers locker room.
A fourth-round pick in 2013, Bakhtiari emerged as one of the NFL’s best left tackles and one of the best pass protectors in NFL history. Across a five-year stretch from 2016 to 2020, Bakhtiari made five All-Pro teams (two first, three second) and made three Pro Bowls.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bakhtiari allowed 32 sacks and 234 pressures across 5,757 pass-blocking snaps during the regular season and postseason with the Packers. He allowed one sack every 180 pass-blocking snaps.
Bakhtiari injured his knee on Dec. 31, 2020. He then battled through three nightmare seasons in which he played in only 13 games, including just one last season. Bakhtiari’s injured knee required a fifth operation during the 2023 season.