David Bakhtiari baffled why Packers thanked Nate Hobbs after release

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David Bakhtiari baffled why Packers thanked Nate Hobbs after release

Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Mon, Mar 16, 2026 ·

3 min read

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Nate Hobbs ' one season with the Green Bay Packers wasn't memorable by any means.

Knee injuries robbed him throughout the season and a lack of production cost him his starting spot at one point.

Instead of trying Hobbs again in 2026 after signing him to a four-year deal 12 months ago, the Packers cut him this month and looked elsewhere for a new starting cornerback.

However, despite his 11-game stint in Green Bay , Hobbs was thanked by the Packers in an appreciation post on social media.

"Thank you, Nate!" the Packers wrote on X.

They've done something similar in recent weeks to all the players they have traded, released or saw leave in free agency, regardless of years spent with the team.

Is that excessive, especially for a player who was only in Green Bay for one season? Or is it a simple gesture to show players that Green Bay is truly Midwest Nice?

The social media post about Hobbs confused former Packer David Bakhtairi, who threw shade at the organization.

"For....???" responded Bakhtiari, a five-time All-Pro left tackle who spent his entire career with the Packers, from 2013 to 2023.

His comment generated a large discussion on X, with some agreeing with Bakhtiari's thinking and others disagreeing with his response.

Bakhtiari's career ended with a series of knee injuries that came after he suffered a torn ACL on the final day of 2020. A month before that injury, he had signed a four-year, $105.5 million contract extension. Bakhtiari would go on to play in only 13 of a possible 51 games over his final three years due to subsequent injuries. His last NFL game was the season opener in 2023.

Knowing his own situation and what Hobbs went through with his injuries, many feel Bakhtiari should be more sympathetic.

Meanwhile, here's a sampling from the other perspective:

The Packers are saving $8.8 million against the cap this year and take on $8 million next year by releasing Hobbs.

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See the Green Bay Packers free agents in 2026

Quay Walker (upper left, clockwise), Malik Willis, Romeo Doubs and Sean Rhyan were four of the Green Bay Packers' 20 free agents during the 2026 offseason. Are any of them returning to Green Bay next season?

Scroll through this gallery to see their status and every free agent's as free agency period opened on Monday, March 9.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images and Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)