It’s difficult to find highly experienced players still on the open market at this point of the offseason, but that’s exactly what left tackle David Bakhtiari is.
Bakhtiari hopes to find a new home as he enters his 12th season in the NFL after the Packers released him in March.
The three-time Pro Bowler’s release didn’t come as a huge surprise, however, as it was just four months after another major surgery on the knee that he originally injured in a Dec. 31, 2020, game.
Due to his left knee, Bakhtiari has played in only 13 games and missed 38 in the past three seasons.
Some might argue that the 32-year-old should hang up his cleats, but following a fifth surgical procedure, Bakhtiari is optimistic about continuing his career.
“My goal right now is just to make sure that I not only fully recover, but I can withstand and play the game that I want to play but also play and be there for a team no matter what,” Bakhtiari said on the “Adam Schefter Podcast.” “I’m not a reliever guy.
I am your cornerstone guy. Someone that’s not only going to play in September but in December and into February and obviously hopefully for another couple of years.”
If Bakhtiari can finally get fully healthy, he should be able to do just that. Before his injuries, the former All-Pro was one of the best left tackles in the league.
Bakhtiari has reportedly received interest but wants to ensure “there’s no question marks” before committing to a team.
That means, depending on how his rehab process is going, he could sign anytime between now and the start of the season. After a difficult few years, Bakhtiari isn’t going to rush things.
“A lot of other people wanted me to just kind of grit through it, but no one experiences what you truly experience,” Bakhtiari added. “Look, I’ve been gritting through it for three years. I’m in constant pain. I’m so happy now to be on the other side of it and get the actual surgery that I needed because my knee was not in a good place.”
Bakhtiari has accomplished a lot throughout his career, but one thing keeps bringing him back.
“I am and love being a left tackle, but I do also want to win a Super Bowl,” Bakhtiari concluded. “That’s something that is really, really big too. That’s one of the biggest things that’s kind of evaded me and has been extremely elusive to this point in my career.”
Maybe he will finally get that chance in 2024.
