As free agent David Bakhtiari continues to seek his next job, the offensive lineman received some positive news this week regarding his health. After undergoing knee surgery last October, Bakhtiari had a positive follow-up exam with expert Dr. Brian Cole, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Cole, the chairman of Orthopedics at Rush University Medical Center and chairman of surgery at Oak Park Hospital, “proclaimed” that the offensive lineman is on schedule for a “2024 season return.”
[RELATED: LT David Bakhtiari Aiming To Play In 2024]
Once one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles, Bakhtiari’s last three-plus seasons have mostly been defined by his absences. His 2020 season ended early thanks to a torn ACL, and the lineman only returned for one game in 2021. Back to full health for the 2022 campaign, Bakhtiari was still limited to only 12 games that season. Then, this past year, the veteran got into one game before undergoing season-ending knee surgery.
The long-time Packers lineman was cut by the organization back in March. At the time, Bakhtiari made it clear that he still wanted to play in the NFL next season, but it’s been relatively quiet for the veteran through the first chunk of the offseason. This latest update may convince teams to have the 32-year-old in for a workout.
Considering the player’s track record, Bakhtiari would represent a low-risk move for a lineman-needy squad. While the five-time All-Pro lineman hasn’t performed like one of the league’s top offensive tackles since the 2020 season, Pro Football Focus was still fond of his production when he was on the field over the past three years.
Considering his connection to Aaron Rodgers, the Jets will continue to be mentioned as a suitor for the free agent. The team has already invested heavily in the position this offseason, adding veterans Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses before selecting Olu Fashanu in the first round of the draft. Of course, the Jets front office is well aware of the need for OL depth, so the team probably wouldn’t reject Bakhtiari if he comes cheap.
Considering his recent injuries, Bakhtiari may have to also wait for some other free agent OTs to find home. The current grouping of unsigned veterans at the position also includes D.J. Humphries and Charles Leno.
Good to hear. Great player when healthy
I would welcome him as a low risk/high reward backup on the Jets!
Mr Joe Douglas, we have Mr Bakhtiari holding on line 3.
I know everyone wants to draw a connection to Rodgers and the Jets, but given that they already brought in Smith, Moses, and Fashanu, it seems like a tough fit. Would Smith or Bakhtiari put up with starting the season on the bench? Are you actually going to slide one of those guys to right tackle this late in their career? Would they put an extra veteran in the way of their long-term plan at left tackle? And that’s before getting to cap space, which is pretty tight. If they bring in a veteran, I would think it would be a safety before yet another old and banged up tackle.
I’m pretty sure Bakhtiari knows he’s likely to be a backup but with at least some injuries likely he should take the role.
” Pro Football Focus was still fond of his production when he was on the field over the past three years”.
Well, in two of those years his snap count didn’t exceed 55…lol
Bakhtiari isn’t worth more than the veteran minimum at this point.
Pretty much a guarantee…when he’s fully healthy, he’s signing with the Jets to play with Rodgers again.
If the Antique Roadshow ever visits MetLife Stadium, Rodgers and Bakhtiari should be part of the exhibit.