Breaking: Commanders Closing In On Deal To Sign Former $105 Million Offensive Tackle
IF you want to get into a debate — and win — over what the biggest question mark is for the Washington Commanders headed into the 2024 season as far as the starting lineup, just go with left tackle.
According to Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report, the Commanders consider signing free agent and former Green Bay Packers star David Bakhtiari to fill the position that will protect rookie quarterback and No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels.
The Commanders’ left tackle options include veteran Cornelius Lucas and Trent Scott, rookie Brandon Coleman, and possibly Sam Cosmi, who played tackle his first two seasons but started all 17 games at guard in 2023 and was one of the NFL’s best down the stretch.
“The blindside commands priority,” Ballentine stated. “It has always happened and will continue to do so. With a rookie quarterback in the building, especially one with some of Jayden Daniels’ pocket-management issues, the importance of figuring out the position grows even higher.”
Bakhtiari, an 11-year NFL veteran and five-time All-Pro, has started every game he has ever appeared in. In March 2020, he received a four-year contract extension worth $105.5 million, becoming him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
Bakhtiari’s career earnings were $126.8 million as of 2023.
Knee Issues Have Slowed Bakhtiari in Recent Years
Bakhtiari was a dominant offensive tackle in the NFL for a decade after being taken by the Packers in the fourth round (No. 109 overall) of the 2013 NFL draft out of Colorado.
Bakhtiari made the NFL All-Pro Team five consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2020, including three Pro Bowl appearances, which contributed to his record-setting deal.
Bakhtiari played only one game in 2021 after tearing his ACL during practice in December 2020, his final All-Pro season. He played 11 games in 2022, but another knee injury kept him out of all but one game in 2023, resulting in only 13 games throughout the last three seasons.
Is it worthwhile for the Commanders to take a chance on Bakhtiari and see if he can have another great-to-good season? According to an Ian Rapoport article dated May 2024, Bakhtiari was on track to get a clean bill of health by 2024.
“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,” Rapoport said on X on May 24. “Cole is the chairman of Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and the chairman of Surgery at Oak Park Hospital.”
LT Options on Roster Don’t Inspire Confidence
The Commanders’ present left tackle situation is not promising, despite being the second-most vital position on offense.
Lucas is on his 11th season and has started 37 of his 49 career games with the Commanders since 2020, including a career-high 12 starts in 2022.
Scott started 22 games for four different teams over six seasons, including two starts for the Commanders in 2023.
Coleman, 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, was a third-round pick (No. 67 overall) by the Commanders in 2024 and a two-time All-Big 12 selection at TCU.
