Earlier this offseason, the Green Bay Packers had to say goodbye to a long-time contributor. In a salary cap move, the team released left tackle David Bakhtiari, saving a ton of money against the salary cap space.
At one point, Bakhtiari was an All-Pro level left tackle, one of the best in the business. A fourth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Colorado, he quickly developed into a high-level performer. But, injuries over the last few seasons have hampered him. Last season, he played in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears but didn’t play against them.
It was the second time in three years that Bakhtiari was able to play in only a single game during the season. In the first eight seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers, he missed only 10 games combined.
During that stretch, he was named to three Pro Bowl teams and made an All-Pro team in five straight seasons. With organized team activities ramping up, Bakhtiari remains a free agent without a home.
However, that could change in the near future. In an update provided by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Bakhatiari had a positive follow-up exam with Dr. Brian Cole. After having to undergo multiple knee surgeries, Cole has shared that Bakhtiari is on track to be able to play during the 2024 season.
Former #Packers All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari, who is recovering from knee surgeries, had a positive follow-up exam with expert Dr. Brian Cole, and Cole proclaimed him on schedule for a 2024 season return.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 21, 2024
Cole is the chairman of Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center in… pic.twitter.com/7GtC0pOzSy
Teams in the NFL can never have enough depth along the offensive line. Bringing Bakhtiari in would provide a franchise with an elite insurance policy at left tackle or high-level swing tackle play off the bench.
Green Bay Packers fans certainly hope that Bakhtiari can land on his feet somewhere and continue his playing career. They will be rooting for him wherever he lands, as he did right by the franchise during his tenure in Green Bay.
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