Green Bay Packers’ David Bakhtiari Could Be the Answer to Cleveland Browns’ Offensive Line Woes
The Cleveland Browns faced a major setback in their playoff game last month when they were forced to play without their top three offensive tackles. To avoid a repeat of this situation in the future, the Browns need to address the depth on their offensive line. However, their salary cap concerns limit their ability to spend big on free agents.
One potential solution for the Browns is to take a chance on David Bakhtiari from the Green Bay Packers. Despite his knee issues that have limited him to only 13 games in the past three seasons, Bakhtiari has proven to be an elite player when healthy. The Packers are considering cutting him due to his $40 million cap hit in 2024, with the potential to clear $21 million by releasing him.
If Bakhtiari becomes a free agent, he would have the opportunity to sign with any team in the league. While his first choice might be to reunite with quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the New York Jets, the Browns offer him the chance to join a playoff-caliber team that is ready to win now. This could be the perfect opportunity for Bakhtiari, who has never played in a Super Bowl, to make a significant impact and contribute to a team with high aspirations.
Overall, the Browns need to address their offensive line depth, and signing Bakhtiari could be a cost-effective solution. With his proven talent and the potential to make an immediate impact, Bakhtiari could be the missing piece that the Browns need to take their team to the next level.
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari has been mentioned as a potential cap casualty in an article by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. The article suggests that Bakhtiari’s free agency could benefit certain teams, including the Cleveland Browns. However, for Bakhtiari to be a valuable asset to another team, he will need to prove that he is healthy and can maintain his fitness.
Bakhtiari has shown his skills as a Pro Bowl-caliber lineman when he is in good health. This means that if he becomes available, he could greatly contribute to a team. The Washington Commanders, who allowed 65 sacks in 2023, may be interested in adding Bakhtiari to protect their new quarterback in the upcoming season. Additionally, the Cleveland Browns suffered from injuries to their top three tackles in 2023, making them in need of an insurance policy for the offensive line.
If Bakhtiari joins the Browns, it could potentially impact the starting lineup. With Jack Conklin possibly leaving Cleveland, Chris Jones would likely take over as the starting right tackle. However, Bakhtiari’s exceptional skills could push Jedrick Wills Jr., the current left tackle, out of the starting lineup altogether. It is possible that Wills and Jones will compete for the other starting job, considering the injury histories of all three players.
The price for acquiring Bakhtiari is uncertain, but it is unlikely that the 32-year-old will receive a guaranteed contract longer than one year until he proves his durability. Nevertheless, if the Browns are interested in adding Bakhtiari to their roster, they have a chance to do so. They would need to disrupt the close relationship between Bakhtiari and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
In conclusion, David Bakhtiari’s potential release from the Green Bay Packers could present an opportunity for other teams, such as the Cleveland Browns, to strengthen their offensive line. Bakhtiari’s health and performance will be crucial in determining his value as a free agent.
