Packers’ handling of Rashod Bateman in 2021 NFL Draft will infuriate fans

Green Bay Packers fans are not going to like what Rashod Bateman told Baltimore Ravens teammate Marlon Humphrey about what could have been in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Though he is happy to be Baltimore Ravens teammates with Marlon Humphrey, Rashod Bateman was nearly drafted by the Green Bay Packers.

The talented second-year wide receiver out of Minnesota sat down with Humphrey on the set of Studio 44 to discuss some very important topics, including all that went down on draft day. Bateman recalled that he thought he was going to the Packers at No. 29 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Baltimore spoiled Green Bay’s draft plans two picks prior. They picked Eric Stokes instead.

Here is the entire conversation Bateman had with Humphrey, including his crazy draft-day story.

Rashod Bateman thought he was going to be drafted by the Green Bay Packers

Bateman mentioned Green Bay was a team he was in communication with throughout the draft process. He admitted that he was not in the best of spirits during draft day. While friends and family gathered at his home, Bateman said he pretty much slept through the entire first round. His brother woke him up when the Jacksonville Jaguars were picking at No. 25 to select Travis Etienne.

What could have been a tough day for Bateman turned out to be a wonderful Thursday night. Not only did he get drafted in the first round, but he went to one of the better-run organizations in the entire NFL. Green Bay addressed the wide receiver position in that draft (Amari Rodgers) and this past one (Christian Watson), but they still have not taken one in the first round in two decades.

Even if Stokes turns out to be a terrific player for them, Bateman’s draft-day story only further indicates that the Packers’ brass does not care the slightest about what their fan base thinks of them. If they really wanted Bateman, they could have traded up three spots to get the Minnesota Golden Gophers legend. Instead, they may have missed out on landing their next Davante Adams…

Green Bay may have paid Aaron Rodgers a small fortune, but who will he be throwing the ball to?