When healthy, David Bakhtiari ranks among the NFL’s top left tackles, but he has only played 13 games over the past three seasons.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Bakhtiari started all 16 games for the Packers at left tackle after Brian Bulaga tore his ACL in the preseason. When Bulaga returned in 2014, Bakhtiari’s strong performance kept him at left tackle, moving Bulaga to the right side to protect Aaron Rodgers’ blindside.
Over his 11 seasons with Green Bay, Bakhtiari earned five All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl nods, missing just 10 games from 2013 to 2020. However, injuries began to impact his play in 2021, leading to his release by the Packers this past March.
There’s significant speculation about the state of Washington’s offensive tackles. Cornelius Lucas, best suited as a swing tackle, is slated for left tackle, while Andrew Wylie is set for the right side. The Commanders clearly need upgrades at both positions.
Recently, Ian Rapoport reported that Bakhtiari had a check-up with Dr. Brian Cole on his surgically repaired knee and is on track to return in 2024.
The key questions are when Bakhtiari will be ready to play again and what performance level he can deliver at nearly 33 years old. Even if he returns at 70% of his previous form, it would still be an improvement for Washington. A one-year deal could provide stability for rookie Jayden Daniels and allow Brandon Coleman time to adjust to the NFL, potentially starting his career at right tackle while Bakhtiari secures the left side.
With around $35 million in remaining cap space, Washington has the financial flexibility to make this move.
