Bakhtiari on Stalled Rodgers Trade Talks, ‘Rebuilding’ Packers

“Both sides now appear to be dug in,” ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter said on Tuesday of Aaron Rodgers trade talks between the Packers and Jets.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Apr 12, 2023 12:58 PM EDT

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Even with trade talks potentially stalled, Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari said his close friend, Aaron Rodgers, is “going to be” a member of the New York Jets.

“What else is going to happen?” Bakhtiari said on The Bussin’ With The Boys podcast.

With two weeks until the eve of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Packers and Jets still have not struck a deal that would send the four-time MVP to New York.

“Both sides now appear to be dug in,” ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter said on Tuesday. “My understanding is there hasn’t been a whole lot of conversation, if any, over the last couple of weeks.”

Bakhtiari expects that trade to happen before the draft begins on April 27. However, he did envision a scenario in which the Packers stick to their guns and not give away the legendary quarterback for the draft-pick equivalent of pennies on the dollar.

“The Packers are rebuilding, whether you think so or not,” Bakhtiari said. “Could they be good? I don’t know. Could they be bad? Probably, if you’re betting, more people are going to think they’re going to be bad than good. Isn’t that fair to say?

“So, then they’ll be like, ‘Well, we’re going to suck anyways. We want what we want, and we’re not going to bend to anyone. So, we’ll just eat it. You can retire or we’ll pay you, we don’t care. If we’re going to do it our way, it’s going to on our terms. If not, were we going to be Super Bowl contenders, anyway? So, we’ll eat it. You can hang on the side, we’ll pay you your money and we’ll suck, anyways.’”

If trade talks truly are at a standstill, it’s because the Packers believe a Hall of Fame quarterback who could be the missing piece for the Jets should deliver premium draft picks. At the same time, the Jets believe they shouldn’t have to send the Packers much in return because the Packers are ready to move on, the Jets the only suitor and New York is the one team Rodgers has said he intends to play for in 2023.

“I think there’s a principal aspect to it,” Bakhtiari said in viewing Green Bay’s perspective. “If you feel like you’re going to get [screwed] over so much where you’re like, ‘You know what? Screw it. Were we going to go to the Super Bowl? Everyone was saying we probably weren’t, anyway, so [to heck with] it. We’ll hold onto him’ eat [his salary], our cap – I think they’re in position to take on his full salary – and then just be like, ‘OK, fine, we know we’re not going to use you. We appreciate everything you’ve done. Fuck you to the other teams who aren’t giving us what we want. We’re not going to just give you whatever you want, Aaron.’”

Rodgers and Bakhtiari have formed a tight bond since Bakhtiari arrived as the team’s blind-side protector in 2013. Having seen one friend after another leave Green Bay over the years, whether it was the surprise release of guard Josh Sitton before the 2016 opener or center Corey Linsley’s free-agent departure in 2021, Bakhtiari understands it’s part of the business and business shouldn’t interfere with friendship.

“Me thinking like this is how I have to think,” he said. “Is it easy? Absolutely not. Do I want to talk about the brotherhood? Do I want to be like, ‘Dude, stay. We’re homies. We can [expletive] do this.’ Absolutely I want to. But then I’m also being selfish for myself. I’m going to be here, anyway. I never want to influence someone else and their personal life because I know that this [football] is a finite time and that [friendship is] a lifetime.”

That “finite time” was always going to end. Now, it might be happening sooner than anyone thought 13 months ago, when Rodgers signed a three-year, $150 million contract to remain with Green Bay.

“Aaron, you think he’s the most untouchable person,” Bakhtiari said. “I know it’s going to happen at some point. Dude, go get yours. If you want to go somewhere, I will never be jaded by your business decision because I always care more about Aaron than I do about 12. Go do your thing, man.”

A business decision could be on the horizon for Bakhtiari, too. After missing the 2020 playoffs, almost all of 2021 and the start of 2022 with a knee injury that required three knee surgeries, the Packers might be entering the 2023 NFL Draft looking to draft Bakhtiari’s successor.

Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright, a first-round prospect, had a predraft visit with the Packers, for instance. With a cap number that soars past $40 million for 2024, Bakhtiari knows he faces an uncertain future.

“I might be in the teens of whatever hole I’m on on my back nine,” he said. “For me, I’m going to enjoy it, whether I’m on this team, if I get traded. I haven’t cared. I’m enjoying where I’m at.

“It’s almost like I’m that young, naïve kid again when I was drafted. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know if I’m going to make the team but I’m along for the ride and I’ve had a heck of a journey. I’m not going to stress about what I can’t control. I’m going to ride whatever happens, if that’s two weeks, two years, five years.”