David Bakhtiari calls mixed expectations for Packers ‘exciting’

It’s no surprise that expectations for the Green Bay Packers in 2023 have been reined in following the departure of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

With fourth-year, albeit inexperienced pro Jordan Love under center, the Packers aren’t exactly a trendy pick to make it to the postseason. It’s indeed a new era in Green Bay, though one offensive tackle David Bakhtiari called “exciting” while speaking with the media after Friday’s practice.

“It’s a big question mark,” Bakhtiari said, via Ryan Wood of USA Today. “There’s a lot of guys who haven’t played a lot of football. It’s a new look, and that’s exciting. Because you don’t really know what to expect. When teams scout us… how much film are they looking at?”

With Rodgers having moved to greener pastures as the new quarterback for the New York Jets, Bakhtiari, 31, is suddenly the longest-tenured Packer. Selected in the fourth-round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Colorado, Bakhtiari has risen to become one of the best in the league at his position — when he’s on the field.

David Bakhtiari feeling good as 2023 season approaches

That last part is key, as he’s suited up in just 24 games over the past three seasons. Bakhtiari is working on a modified schedule during training camp in an effort to keep his surgically repaired knee good to go for the regular season. Having made it through an offseason without surgery for the first time in three years, the three-time Pro Bowler said he “feels good.”

“I feel good,” Bakhtiari said, via Packers Wire. “Not going to be a fortune teller or anything…but the team and I understand what we need to do. We’re on the same page. Trust is a big thing, and then, finally having an offseason of not having surgeries, the ability to let everything kind of calm down, settle in, train, put on muscle, protect the knee. I’m very grateful and thankful for where I’m at and I’m just excited to see what happens. Football is football, it’s not the healthiest thing in the world, so we’ll see when we get out there.”

He added: “I have expectations for myself and how I want to play, anytime I go out there I want to put my brand of ball out there. Different year, but same goals apply to me.”