The Packers' former All-Pro tackle weighs in on the new season.
David Bakhtiari's return is nearing, even if we don't know which team he will play for yet. Super Bowl contenders needing tackle help should already be calling the five-time All-Pro, who believes he is ready to play a full-time role again after dealing with awful injury luck in recent seasons.
He said he wants to play for a contender. Going from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love (one game in 2023) to Patrick Mahomes would make sense. The Kansas City Chiefs need tackle help, and Bakhtiari could help them win a third straight title.
While he basically ruled out a return to the Green Bay Packers (although not completely), Bakhtiari still has a lot of love for the team and has high expectations for them this season.
David Bakhtiari has high expectations for Packers with Jordan Love
As a guest on The Adam Schefter Podcast, Bakhtiari gave his prediction for the Packers in 2024.
"I still think the same thing. I think that they'll make the playoffs, for sure," said Bakhtiari. "And then from there, depends what happens. If they play the Cowboys, then it will probably bode well for them."
And Jordan Love?
"You just root for guys like him," said Bakhtiari. "I think he's growing and ascending in this league. I think he's going to be a really good quarterback that's going to lead the team."
Bakhtiari couldn't have had higher praise for Love, not just for his performances, but for being an incredible person off the field. The Packers are lucky to have Love leading this team into the future, that's for sure.
It's great to hear Bakhtiari speak so highly of the Packers this season. It would be completely understandable if he felt frustrated with the way things ended and didn't give such a positive answer, but he gave a classy response when speaking about his former team.
And who knows, maybe the stars could align for him to return to Green Bay. He already believes this team is playoff-bound. With a healthy Bakhtiari, we could be talking Super Bowl.
