Offensive lineman David Bakhtiari has encountered challenges maintaining his health in recent times, yet the free agent remains eager to continue playing in 2024.
For the first instance in his illustrious career, David Bakhtiari, a free agent offensive tackle, will not be donning the Green Bay Packers jersey. Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Bakhtiari, hailing from Colorado, swiftly surpassed expectations, establishing himself as one of the premier players in the league. Garnering three Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro nods, Bakhtiari was once a prominent contender for the title of the finest offensive tackle in football.
Regrettably, the landscape of NFL can swiftly change, and recent years have been less than favorable for this Packers icon. Following a season-ending injury towards the end of the 2020 season, Bakhtiari has grappled with recurrent health setbacks. Over the past three seasons, he has only managed to participate in 13 games. Consequently, owing to his substantial salary cap impact, the Packers were compelled to release Bakhtiari, rendering him a free agent.
Now confronted with the prospect of transitioning to a different team, uncertainties loomed over whether the frequently injured tackle would opt for retirement. Nonetheless, reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport affirm that David Bakhtiari intends to explore opportunities in the free agent market and resume play in 2024.
Despite Bakhtiari’s desire to continue playing, securing guaranteed financial backing as a free agent might prove challenging. The adage “the best ability is availability” resonates strongly in NFL circles, and Bakhtiari’s struggle to remain on the field may deter teams from offering him assured contracts. Since 2020, he has undergone five surgeries on the same knee, casting doubts on the effectiveness of his latest rehabilitation efforts.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial to acknowledge that Bakhtiari’s on-field prowess remains largely unscathed by his injury woes. In the 2022 season, the left tackle commenced 11 games and concluded the campaign with an impressive 79.8 PFF grade, ranking 12th out of 81 eligible players.
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