Packers legend and Aaron Rodgers’ golf cart buddy David Bakhtiari appeared on the wildly popular Bussin’ With The Boys Podcast. In the incredible three hour interview Bakhtiari touched on everything from his potential retirement to his thoughts on the NFLPA to his injury history to his disdain for Pro Football Focus to the talker of the offseason Aaron Rodgers and Jets.
On the Packers willingness to make a deal just to make a deal Bakhtiari had an interesting take.
“The Packers are rebuilding, whether you think so or not. Could they be good? I don’t know. Could they be bad? Probably if you’re betting more people are gonna think they’re gonna be bad than good, right? Isn’t that fair to say? So then they’ll be like, ‘Well, we’re gonna suck anyways. We want what we want, and we’re not gonna bend to anyone. So we’ll just eat it. . . . We’ll pay you, we don’t care. If we’re gonna do it our way, it’s gonna be on our terms. If not, what are we gonna be, Super Bowl contenders anyway? So we’ll eat it, you can hang on the side. We’ll pay you your money, and then we’ll suck anyways, get the picks, as compared to dealing him for something that you shouldn’t have.
Aaron‘s my guy. I would absolutely be on his side for it but I look at the whole situation and I see where the Packers are posturing. I see where the Jets are posturing. I see where Aaron’s posturing. Take out all the bias and what really could happen?
I think there’s a principal aspect to it…I see Aaron‘s leverage. I see the Jets leverage. I see the Packers leverage, it’s fun to talk about but I think the most simple thing will be they get whatever picks they wanted.
I always care about Aaron more than no 12. Go do your thing.”
When discussing the trade and asked about it being difficult being super close with Rodgers with this trade.
“Yes, 100% yes. On the other hand, things come and go in our careers. … It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when [players get cut or moved]. I started accepting that years ago. Aaron of course is the most untouchable person, but I know it’s going to happen at some point. I’m like ‘dude, go get yours.’ I will never be jaded by your business decision because I will always care more about Aaron than I do 12 for the Green Bay Packers. Go do your thing man.
I’ve said that to all my teammates once I understood that back when Josh Sitton got cut. He was my left guard…It happens dude. I’ve told guys, ‘go get yours.’ I would be more jaded if they took less money because they felt like they had to stay with their guys. I’m still going to like you no matter what. I’ve said that to Davante, I’ve said that to Corey, and I even said that to Elgton coming up. Go do what’s best for you. Take the emotion and friendship stuff out it, it’s a business.”
On where he’s at in his career and potential retirement.
“What f—–g sucks more is I’m being stripped of something that I love doing, especially the way I like doing it. So you talk about my career…I might be on the teens of whatever hole I’m on on my back nine [of my career]…I’m going to enjoy it, whether I’m on this team or I get traded.”
The whole interview is fantastic. It’s vintage Bakhtiari and worth a full watch. Click play to see the whole thing.
