The biggest story of the Green Bay Packers’ offseason was trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Alongside this, of course, is the storyline of Jordan Love taking over as the franchise’s starting quarterback. In addition to these, certain sub-stories have popped up all offseason, including several that pertained to Rodgers’ best friend left on the team, David Bakhtiari.
Related: Green Bay Packers Insider Reveals 1 Thing David Bakhtiari Wants in 2023
Over the course of the offseason, Bakhtiari has made headlines by stating the the Packers are in a rebuild and by calling out a vice president of the organization on social media. For weeks, various media outlets have tried to twist Bakhtiari’s words and actions into messages that are not from him.
Related: Green Bay Packers: David Bakhtiari’s “Rebuild” Comments Are Being Misunderstood
This trend continued in a recent article posted by Fansided in which the writer claims Bakhtiari was waiting and ready to “Say goodbye” to Rodgers.
Was Green Bay Packers Left Tackle David Bakhtiari Ready to “Say Goodbye” to Aaron Rodgers?
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In a recent interview, Bakhtiari discussed how losing friends to trades or free agency is part of the business of football. His exact words were:
“Those guys are some of my closest buddies. That’s kind of prepped me for this moment. Just another guy that’s gone. I even talked to Aaron. I remember him saying Charles Woodson was one of the biggest things, when they saw him go. It’s a business. You should never forget that. Because it will happen.”
“Those guys” he was referring to were former Packers offensive linemen TJ Lang, Bryan Bulaga, and Josh Sitton.
Just because there is a reality in the business does not mean that saying goodbye is easy. It does not even mean that it is something players wait for. However, the author of the Fansided article wrote:
“Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari has been Aaron Rodgers’ left-hand man for the last decade, but in 2023, he won’t be. If you ask him, he’s been waiting for this moment for quite some time.
“That’s not to say Bakhtiari expressed any joy in Rodgers leaving the Packers for the New York Jets earlier this offseason.
“He and the rest of the Packers organization watched a legend bid farewell to his longtime home knowing it was the inevitable end of an era. And that’s exactly what it was: inevitable.”
There is just something about the word “waiting” that seems to convey a message that is not what Bakhtiari meant. Did he know that he would eventually have to play for the Packers without Rodgers? One would think so, especially given Rodgers’ most recent comments about the organization. Does that mean he was actively waiting for that day to come? No. Just because one knows something might happen does not mean they actively wait for it. It is just an inevitable reality.
Nor does knowing something will happen make it any easier. Sure, Bakhtiari experienced other friends departing from the team before, but that does not mean it made it any easier for him to say goodbye to Rodgers. It just means he knew how to handle the emotions that went with it.
As for playing without Rodgers, it does not change the way Bakhtiari is approaching the season or his own individual play:
“Honestly, I’m having a great time when I am back. Having fun, good conversations when I’m on the field with anyone. We understand the expectation, understand where it’s at and it’s been kind of cool.
“I really like how I’m feeling … I have finally not had a surgery for the first time in the last two or three offseasons. … I get to have an offseason to train, to get away, to finally relax and not freak out my body. Being a dad has been amazing and mind, spiritually, mentally, physically, I just feel very light and that’s been very pleasing. Hopefully I can reap the benefits from that.
“I’ve got all the cool accolades … I would love to hold the Lombardi (Trophy). I want to have a ring. I’ve told Aaron that. That’s something that’s really important to me in my career … that gets me up every morning and that puts me to bed early every night.”
Just like every other player, Bakhtiari is going to show up to work and give it his very best. Regardless of what the future may hold, his focus is on this season, not the past.
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