David Bakhtiari Happy With His Progress, Hopes To Play Multiple Seasons
Five-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) said he's "really happy" with the progress from his latest knee surgery, so much so that he now hopes to play multiple seasons. Bakhtiari's goal in 2024 is to play with the Super Bowl MVP, so he's clearly looking to latch on with a contender on the open market after spending the first 11 years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers. The 32-year-old former fourth-round pick (109th overall) in 2013 out of Colorado was released by Green Bay in March because of his inability to stay on the field in recent years. Since the start of the 2021 season, Bakhtiari has started only 13 games due to knee injuries. But before that stretch, he made two straight Pro Bowls. Now that he appears to be fully healthy, Bakhtiari should be able to latch on somewhere, at least as left-tackle depth.
Former Green Bay Packers All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee), who is recovering from knee surgeries, had a positive follow-up exam with expert Dr. Brian Cole, who proclaimed Bakhtiari on schedule for a 2024 return. Cole is the chairman of Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and chairman of surgery at Oak Park Hospital. The 32-year-old veteran left tackle is currently a free agent after the Packers released him in March, but he plans on playing this year after missing most of Green Bay's games since late in 2020 due to left-knee issues. If Bakhtiari can prove that he's healthy this summer, he'll likely latch on with a team in need of some help at the tackle spots on their offensive line, although it remains to be seen if he'll return to starting duties.
Free-agent left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) is focusing on rehabbing from a major knee injury that landed him on Injured Reserve on September 28, and he wants to continue his career in 2024, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The 32-year-old was released by the Packers on March 11 after 11 years with the organization. Bakhtiari was named to five All-Pro teams and three Pro Bowl rosters during his time with Green Bay, but injuries have derailed his career as of late. He has played in just 13 games over the last three seasons due to recurring knee issues. There was speculation that he could reunite with Aaron Rodgers on the New York Jets, but All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith already signed there. That said, it's unclear who is interested in the veteran's services as of now, but there are plenty of franchises hurting at left tackle as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches.
Green Bay Packers veteran left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) announced on his social media that he was released by the team on Monday. Bakhtiari was given a failed-physical designation after he played in just one game in 2023 due to a lingering knee injury. The 32-year-old three-time Pro Bowler was originally a fourth-round pick by the Packers in 2013 out of Colorado and had spent all 11 of his NFL seasons with the team. Since tearing his ACL in 2020, he has played in just 13 games with the Packers, so it was time for Green Bay to move on. It's unclear how healthy Bakhtiari actually is, but if he's ready by this fall and wants to continue his playing career, the favorites to sign him will be the New York Jets. Bakhtiari was teammates with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
The Athletic's Matt Schneidman writes that veteran left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) is an obvious cut candidate for the Green Bay Packers this offseason. The five-time All-Pro has played in only 25 of a possible 72 games in the regular season and playoffs over the last four seasons. The torn ACL he suffered in a Week 17 practice in 2020 has lingered, although he's hoping to finally be clear of his knee issues after his most recent surgery. Bakhtiari could still be strong when healthy, but he'll turn 33 in September and cannot be counted on to stay on the field at this point in his career. He's under contract for one more season, and the Packers would free up just less than $21 million in salary cap space if they cut him.
Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) said he needs another surgery on his knee and will miss the rest of the season. Doctors are confident that it's a cartilage issue for Bakhtiari, and he's hoping to be ready for training camp next summer. Bakhtiari went on Injured Reserve before last Thursday's game against the Detroit Lions after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee the day before. It's bad news for the Packers offensive line and the entire offense the rest of the way, as the 32-year-old is Green Bay's starting left tackle when healthy. Rasheed Walker should continue to work on quarterback Jordan Love's blind side moving forward.
David Bakhtiari Undergoes Surgery, Placed On Injured Reserve
Green Bay Packers All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) had arthroscopic left-knee surgery on Wednesday and was placed on Injured Reserve on Thursday, according to sources. Another surgery is planned for Bakhtiari in the coming weeks, which will be aimed at allowing him to play at full strength next year. Bakhtiari will miss at least the next four games, but his return this season is now uncertain. The 31-year-old probably won't be back in 2023, which is a big loss on inexperienced quarterback Jordan Love's blind side. The Packers are missing a few other key offensive-line regulars on Thursday night against the Detroit Lions. Rasheed Walker will start at left tackle moving forward for Green Bay.
According to Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, offensive tackle David Bakhtiari is staying in Green Bay. "First of all, we're not going to trade David," said Gutekunst on Friday. " So just get that out of the way." Undoubtedly, the 31-year-old is as talented as it gets, with a resume that includes multiple Pro Bowl appearances and two All-Pro selections. But he's battled knee injuries over the years, which certainly impacted the effectiveness of the Packers' offensive line. However, assuming Bakhtiari stays healthy, he'll prove invaluable in protecting Jordan Love in his first year as the starting signal-caller.
The Athletic's Matt Schneidman thinks the odds are astronomically low that left tackle David Bakhtiari is traded during the 2023 season. However, there's a much greater chance that the team looks to get rid of him next offseason, but the Packers won't need to move on from him just because of the direction the team is heading age-wise. Cutting Bakhtiari after this season would free up $21.5 million in salary cap space ahead of the final year on a contract extension he signed in 2020. The 31-year-old was one of the league's best offensive tackles in 2022 when he was healthy, but this season will be about proving that he can stay healthy.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Green Bay is looking to restructure the contract of offensive tackle David Bakhtiari. The 31-year-old is a two-time first-team All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler, so he's widely considered one of the best at the position. However, he appeared in only one game in the 2021 season because of a knee injury while missing six games last season. Green Bay is desperately trying to clear up cap space and has already reworked the deals of Aaron Jones, Preston Smith, and Jaire Alexander. That said, there's also a chance Bakhtiari may have already played his final game as a Packer, making him a hot commodity in the open market.
