David Bakhtiari is one of the NFL’s biggest injury casualties. But the 32-year-old doesn’t want to let that stop him from continuing to write his story as a professional football player and crowning it with a title win

From David Bakhtiari’s perspective, the past few seasons have been full of setbacks. His left knee in particular caused him considerable difficulties. But even after the fifth operation on the affected knee, the former All-Pro left tackle of the Green Bay Packers is not losing his optimism.

The American spent eleven seasons with the Packers before being released in March. But even after his Packers retirement, Bakhtiari is certain that his time in the NFL is not over and expressed confidence in his recovery process on Adam Schefter’s podcast.

After his last major surgery in November, he said he is “very happy” and hopeful that he can play a few more years. The surgery at the end of November was a difficult step for the NFL star, but was urgently needed after years of pain.

“A lot of other people wanted me to just bite through it, but nobody experiences what you really experience. I’ve been biting through it for three years. I was in constant pain. I’m so glad that I’ve now had the operation I needed, because my knee wasn’t in good condition,” he said, describing his groundbreaking decision.

After the operation, which came with many question marks, he now feels “really good” and praised his surgeon Brian Cole for his “phenomenal work.”

Bakhtiari has big plans: “I’m a cornerstone “

Bakhtiari has been plagued by knee problems since the end of December 2020, when he tore his cruciate ligament. As a result, he has only been able to play around a quarter of the last three seasons with 13 of 51 possible regular-season games

Now, however, he is fully focused on the future. Not only does he want to fully recover, he also wants to play the game he wants to play and be there for his team as a leader. “I’m not a temporary player, I’m a cornerstone of the team. Someone who will not only play in September, but also in December and into February and hopefully for a few years to come,” he made clear.

Bakhtiari made the All-Pro first team twice and was in the Pro Bowl three times before his injury woes. The 32-year-old now wants to build on this form.

“I just have to remind people. People have kind of forgotten what kind of player I was and what kind of player I am,” he said.

Bakhtiari’s future still open: New contract probably not until August

However, it is still unclear which franchise the veteran will play for in the coming season. According to Bakhtiari, there is already interest from teams, but he would first like to get rid of his physical question marks before signing a contract.

At the moment, however, there are only “a few hurdles to overcome” before he can return to the pitch. According to the NFL pro, the middle of the preseason in August or the start of the season in September would be the right time to sign a contract.

The goal is absolutely clear. “I also want to win a Super Bowl. That’s something that’s also very, very important. It’s one of the biggest things that has eluded me so far and that I haven’t been able to achieve in my career,” he said, explaining his big lifelong dream.