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The Washington Commanders have done an excellent job of upgrading its roster over the last couple of months. And they've done it to the point where there is genuine optimism surrounding the 2024 season, and beyond, from a variety of avenues and onlookers.
But with any team in the midst of a rebuild, there is still work to be done, and, at a few key positions. For instance, the Commanders still need to figure out exactly what they want to do at left tackle.
There is a "plan" there, so to speak, that involves Cornelius Lucas, third-round rookie Brandon Coleman, and last year's fourth-rounder in Braeden Daniels, but none of those guys represent a clear solution and we won't know if the can/will until the bullets are flying during the regular season.
Therefore, it makes a ton of sense to bring someone in who can present an immediate, viable upgrade over those guys. That player's name is David Bakhtiari, a former five-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler left tackle for the Green Bay Packers. He's currently a free agent and recovering from knee surgery.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, everything is trending for him to be able to play in 2024. Bakhtiari has dealt with knee issues ever since he tore his ACL back in 2020.
Former #Packers All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari, who is recovering from knee surgeries, had a positive follow-up exam with expert Dr. Brian Cole, and Cole proclaimed him on schedule for a 2024 season return.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 21, 2024
Cole is the chairman of Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center in… pic.twitter.com/7GtC0pOzSy
The Commanders would need a plan, but this would be a viable addition
The contract aspect of this hypothetical move would be easy: create incentives based on playing time. Structure it into tiers where the more snaps Bakhtiari plays, the more money he receives. That gives the Commanders some breathing room in case he continues to experience setbacks with his knees - something that has happened every year since he tore his ACL back in 2020.
He could learn the playbook and get eased in while the aforementioned trio battle it out for the starting spot and subsequent depth spots. Rapoport doesn't mention anything about a Week 1 return - just a 2024 return. So, hypothetically, the Commanders could place Bakhtiari on the PUP list before the start of training camp and manage him from there.
The worst-case scenario is Bakhtiari starts the year on short-term IR and either Lucas, Coleman, or Daniels are playing well. In that case, the Commanders can continue to ease Bakhtiari in or even activate him so he can provide solid depth.
It wouldn't be a simple process and it would take some thinking ahead and future planning. Bakhtiari's health has been the absolute definition of unknown over the last couple of years and when it seems like he's progressing - he takes a step back. That's nothing on him, obviously, but they're factors that must be accounted for when contemplating this situation.
The Commanders have plenty of time to figure this out, too. It would be a major surprise if Bak finds a new home before training camp starts. That only helps Washington, overall, in case they have serious thoughts on adding the former Packer.
More must-reads:
- Giants reportedly expecting standout TE to retire
- Three WRs who are next in line for massive deals
- The 'Recent seasons with 1,000 receiving yards' quiz
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