The Green Bay Packers made a big move this offseason, releasing long-time left tackle David Bakhtiari. It wasn’t a move the team wanted to make, but had to. They saved more than $20 million by releasing him, opening up major salary cap space.
Injuries have derailed David Bakhtiari in recent seasons. He played in only Week 1 of the 2023 season, the second time in three years he made only a single appearance. In between that, he had an 11-game campaign in 2022.
Prior to the injuries, he was one of the best left tackles in the NFL. A mainstay in the Green Bay Packers lineup, he compiled three Pro Bowls and five All-Pro nominations from 2016 to 2020 before injuries started piling up.
Since being released by the team, the Colorado product remains a free agent. But, he has no plans of retiring. During a recent appearance on “The Adam Schefter Podcast”, Bakhtiari revealed that he plans on playing several more seasons in the NFL.
“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. “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.” (H/T ESPN)
During his interview, he detailed just how grueling of a process this was. NFL players, especially linemen, are as tough as they come. He tried to gut things out, but eventually, the pain just became too much to bear.
His troubles started with an ACL tear on December 31st, 2020. That has been the root of his knee issues ever since, as he has missed 38 out of a possible 51 regular season games. But, he is hoping that is now behind him after undergoing the surgeries he needed to.
“A lot of other people wanted me to just kind of grit through it, but no one experiences what you truly experience,” Bakhtiari said of his decision to have the fifth surgery in November. “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.”
Hopefully, David Bakhtiari can find a new home and continue his career as he believes possible. Green Bay Packers fans will certainly be cheering for him, as long as he isn’t terrorizing their Cheeseheads on the field.
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