Caleb Williams is under siege to start the 2024 season. Across three games, he has already been sacked 13 times. This isn’t the same situation as Justin Fields, either. Despite his inexperience, the rookie has done a good job of getting the ball out fast. Unfortunately, this cannot overcome the litany of miscues the front five continues suffering. It is evident something is wrong with the offensive line. People are struggling to pinpoint the issue. Many think it is a weak interior, especially at center and right guard. Others believe Braxton Jones has taken a step back at left tackle.
Most agree the coaching hasn’t been good enough.
Whatever the case, ideas are starting to surface about what the Bears can do to help their young quarterback. Multiple scouts working for Bleacher Report agree there is one name they could call who might be able to steady the ship.
Add Now: OT David Bakhtiari
Part of the issue with Caleb Williams to begin the season is the Bears offensive line hasn’t been great in pass protection. Especially with Larry Borom on injured reserve, the front office should look into bringing in Bakhtiari to give the offense a veteran insurance policy to turn to. If healthy, he can help give Williams a little more time to throw when called upon.
Bakhtiari was a two-time All-Pro for the Green Bay Packers between 2013 and 2020. A bad knee injury kept him mostly sidelined over the past three years, though he still looked great when he played.
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Bakhtiari can’t help Caleb Williams.
Or he can’t do it unless he’s willing to switch positions. He has been a left tackle his entire career. At 32 years old, it seems unlikely he would change. That means the Bears would have to bench Jones to bring him in. There is no way GM Ryan Poles would consider such an idea. Replacing a young blocker who still shows signs of improvement for an older player with a knee issue that hasn’t seen him play since last September is bad business. Now, would Bakhtiari be willing to move to left guard? That might change things.
Plugging him there would allow the Bears to shift Teven Jenkins over to right guard, where most feel he is a better fit. That would put their two best pass protectors on Caleb Williams blind side and their two best run blockers on the right side. It’s not the perfect solution, but it would be an improvement. There is no doubt Bakhtiari’s veteran presence might help settle things down. The big question is that knee. It feels like it may never be 100%. Besides, would he return to join a team that is 1-2? Unlikely.
I think the Bears have already proved that adding “talented” players to the team does not fix the problem. First and foremost they need to fix the coaching problem.
@Dr. Steven Sallie —
Doctor Stephano, I’ll get you the first “Bakhtiari– YES!” T-shirt on the planet!
Bring him in — and sign him today, as the Bear first player-coach since who-knows-who?!
David Bakhtiari is a former 4th-round selection (#109 in 2013) that with excellent NFL coaching and plenty of hard work made himself the best pass-blocking technician at LT, the NFC North has ever seen.
“Could he / would he” be “capable / willing” to coach? I don’t know — but I’d pay a barrel of that “Where’s Waldo” money in order to find out!
No more Packer retreads, sloppy seconds, and mistresses with questionable utility, health, and loyalty!
If he want paid, he will