The Green Bay Packers are releasing long-time offensive tackle David Bakhtiari, and Bakhtiari has taken to social media to post a heartfelt goodbye to the Packers and their fans.
“A lot of emotion in this. I just want to say THANK YOU Green Bay,” Bakhtiari wrote in a post on his X account. “Thank you for the last 11 years. It’s been a hell of a run. I always wanted to raise a Lombardi on Lombardi avenue, but I will never complain. I gave it my all. I always gave it my best no matter the circumstance and to me, that truly was enough. My 32 year old self is so damn proud of that 21 year old with no facial hair, bushy tail kid that just wanted to do his best. I’m so proud of you. For whatever happens next, I look forward to it. To the city and fans all across the world, I just want to say thank you. To the entire organization, Thank you. To entire coaching staffs, Thank you. To the entire support staff, Thank you. To my wife and daughter (Frankie and Felix): I hope you are proud. To my family (Debbie, Karl, Eric, Andrew, and Danielle): I hope I represented our name with pride these past 11 years in Green Bay. I cannot thank everyone, so I hope this post will suffice. Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile, because it happened.”
Bakhtiari’s release comes as no surprise, as the veteran played in just one game this past season due to knee issues and has appeared in a grand total of 13 contests over the last three years combined.
The University of Colorado product was selected by Green Bay in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
He immediately broke into the starting lineup as the Packers’ left tackle during his rookie campaign and never relinquished that duty during his entire decade-plus tenure in the tundra.
Bakhtiari developed into one of the league’s best offensive linemen, making three trips to the Pro Bowl while also earning a couple of First-Team All-Pro nods. He added a Second-Team All-Pro selection, as well.
All of that occurred between 2016 and 2020.
Since then, Bakhtiari has been riddled with injuries, and with the San Mateo, Ca. native due to make $20.2 million in base salary in what would have been the final year of his deal next season, the Packers obviously feel that releasing him and saving some money is the best way to go.
It’s completely understandable from Green Bay’s point of view, but there is no question that the franchise will miss David Bakhtiari—both on the field and off of it.
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