Did Din Djarin Work For The Empire?

In the very first episode of The Mandalorian, Din Djarin accepts a deal with the Empire. But did Din Djarin actually work for the Empire?

Din Djarin does work for the Empire to receive a new set of Beskar. Realizing that turning Grogu in is a mistake, he quickly denounces the partnership and saves the Child. This sparks an all out conflict against the Empire that lasts multiple seasons.

It’s important to note that Djarin is not a full time employee of the Empire. He simply accepts a one-time bounty, completely unaware of the target he’s meant to capture. Djarin only accepts because of the promise of receiving new Beskar steel.

Din Djarin accepts a bounty for the Empire

In the first episode of The Mandalorian, Djarin accepts a mysterious bounty with little information. Once arriving for the face to face meeting, he’s greeted by a group of battered Stormtroopers. Prior to the events of The Mandalorian, the Empire is destroyed by Luke Skywalker and the New Republic.

These Stormtroopers, as well as the unknown client supporting them, come from a remnant of the Empire. Not wanting to reveal their evil plan, the Client only provides Djarin with a tracking fob for the target.

The client also provides Djarin with the last four digits of the target’s chain code, being its age. He gives Djarin the target’s last reported positional data. Once the target is captured (or eliminated for a lower fee), an entire camtono of Beskar steel will be provided.

Despite the Empire slaughtering the Mandalorian race, Djarin accepts the deal. An entire camtono of Beskar will allow for a fresh new set of armor, and as the client points out, the steel belongs back with the Mandalorians.

Djarin learns more about the deal

At this time, Djarin does not have any more information regarding the target. He’s met a doctor who is implied to do some type of medical work, but he’s still unsure of the Empire’s thought process.

We later learn why the Empire is interested in acquiring the target. Moff Gideon, leader of a remnant of the Empire, wants Grogu so he can study his blood. Grogu has incredibly high Midi-chlorian levels. This likely comes as a result of being the same race as Yoda.

Once Djarin acquires Grogu and turns him into the Empire, he quickly realizes his mistake and saves the kid. This sparks an all out conflict between Djarin and the Empire that continues all the way up to the end of Season 2.

So that’s the answer. Din Djarin did temporarily work for the Empire, but only for a single bounty deal.