by Talks between the Packers and Jets about an Aaron Rodgers trade appear to be at a standstill.
However, veteran Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari believes a deal will be reached. He also shared his thoughts on the timing of the deal, predicting that the trade would likely happen before the draft.
“I think the simplest thing is that they are going to [the Packers] get whatever selection they wanted. They’ll get it before the draft and then time will show us. He’s going to be a Jet,” Bakhtiari said on Barstool Sports’ “Bussin With The Boys” podcast.
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Aaron Rodgers (12) of the Green Bay Packers greets David Bakhtiari (69) before a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on November 29, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The three-time Pro Bowl left tackle added that he is aware the Packers would largely be seen as a team in rebuild mode if Rodgers leaves.
“The Packers are rebuilding, whether you believe it or not,” Bakhtiari said. “Could they be good? I don’t know. Could they be bad? Probably, if you’re betting that more people will think they’re going to be bad than good, right? Isn’t that fair to say? stink anyway’.
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Bakhtiari also shared an interesting theory about what could happen if Rodgers stayed with Green Bay.
“We want what we want, and we’re not going to bow down to anyone. So we’ll eat it up.” [Aaron Rodgers’ contract]. We’ll pay you, we don’t care. If we’re going to do it our way, it’s going to be on our terms. If not, what are we going to be, Super Bowl contenders anyway? So we’ll eat it. You [Rodgers] can hang on the side. we will pay you [Rodgers] your money, and then we’ll suck anyway, get the picks, versus trading it for something you shouldn’t have.”
The Packers do not have a sole proprietorship and are publicly owned by shareholders.
A billionaire owner is likely not happy with the idea of losing $60 million in a single season because of one player simply not playing. But, since one person won’t have to incur the cost, the franchise has an opportunity to “eat up” Rodgers’ contract in 2023 if the deal with the Jets falls through.
David Bakhtiari (69) and Aaron Rodgers (12) of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lambeau Field on November 15, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Green Bay has other options that it could exercise before Week 1 of the regular season begins to lower Rodgers’ salary cap.
Bakhtiari acknowledged that the option of keeping Rodgers in Green Bay and paying him to sit on the bench would only be considered if the Jets offer something the Packers can’t handle.
“Compared to treating it [Rodgers] for something you shouldn’t have, you [general manager Brian Gutekunst] could potentially look like a jerk not only to the [team] president and the board, but everyone else in the league, thinking about the general manager’s perspective,” Bakhtiari continued.
“[Could] put yourself on the sidelines and potentially have your work called into question. I look at all these ways you can treat it. I don’t think it will get that controversial. i think they will [the Jets and Packers] probably come to an agreement. He will be changed, they [the Packers] they get what they want and then time will probably tell who won what.”
Aaron Rodgers (12) and David Bakhtiari (69) of the Green Bay Packers walk to the line during the second quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 1, 2017 in Detroit. (Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Bakhtiari is confident that Jordan Love will be the Packers’ starting quarterback in 2023, with or without Rodgers on the roster.
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Bakhtiari and Rodgers have enjoyed a close friendship over the years. In 2020, the offensive lineman gave the quarterback a golf cart and the two used to drive it to Packers practices.
