As the 2024 NFL season begins, veteran offensive tackle David Bakhtiari remains a free agent, and his next move is one of the most closely watched stories in the league. Once regarded as the best left tackle in football, Bakhtiari has been linked to several teams, with the Cleveland Browns being a potential destination.

However, a recent prediction by Vincent Frank of SportsNaut suggests that Bakhtiari may ultimately land with the Kansas City Chiefs, a team in need of bolstering their protection for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The Cleveland Browns’ Interest in Bakhtiari

Throughout the offseason, the Browns have faced significant challenges on their offensive line due to injuries. The potential to add a proven veteran like Bakhtiari to help protect Deshaun Watson and solidify the offensive front has been an ongoing conversation. With Bakhtiari’s history of elite performance, particularly during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers, he seemed like a natural fit for Cleveland.

Bakhtiari’s experience, including three Pro Bowl selections, makes him a valuable asset for any team. However, despite the Browns’ need, no deal has materialized, leaving Bakhtiari open to other opportunities as Week 1 of the NFL season approaches.

The Chiefs’ Potential Move for Bakhtiari

According to Frank’s prediction, the Kansas City Chiefs may swoop in and sign Bakhtiari, providing him with an opportunity to play for a Super Bowl contender. For the Chiefs, securing Bakhtiari would significantly enhance their offensive line, providing much-needed protection for Mahomes, who is the key to their offensive success.

Kansas City has been aggressive in recent years in maintaining a strong offensive line. With Mahomes under center, the Chiefs’ offensive scheme depends heavily on giving him the time to make big plays down the field. Bakhtiari, if healthy, would be a substantial upgrade at left tackle and a perfect fit to protect Mahomes’ blindside.

Injury Concerns and Bakhtiari’s Readiness

Bakhtiari’s injury history is the biggest concern for teams considering signing him. Over the past three seasons, he has played in just 13 games due to persistent knee issues, including a torn ACL that kept him sidelined for most of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Despite these setbacks, Bakhtiari has remained vocal about his desire to return to the field and contribute to a contending team.

At 32 years old, Bakhtiari still believes he can perform at an elite level, provided he can stay healthy. While he may no longer be the dominant force he once was, a healthy Bakhtiari would still represent a significant upgrade for many teams, particularly for a franchise like Kansas City that has championship aspirations.

Why the Chiefs Make Sense for Bakhtiari

From a strategic standpoint, Kansas City makes perfect sense as a landing spot for Bakhtiari. The Chiefs are consistently in Super Bowl contention and have a dynamic offense led by Mahomes. Adding a player of Bakhtiari’s caliber to their offensive line would only enhance their ability to protect Mahomes and give him the time he needs to execute Kansas City’s high-powered offense.

Additionally, the Chiefs have been known to take calculated risks on players with injury histories, particularly if the upside is significant. Bakhtiari, despite his recent struggles with injuries, offers the potential to provide elite protection if he can regain his form. Given Kansas City’s win-now mindset, they may be more willing to roll the dice on Bakhtiari than other teams.

The Browns’ Next Move

As for the Browns, missing out on Bakhtiari could push them to explore other options to reinforce their offensive line. Cleveland still has time to make moves, but finding a player with Bakhtiari’s pedigree on the free-agent market will be challenging. Their need to protect Watson and establish a dominant running game with Nick Chubb makes the offensive line a top priority, and Bakhtiari could have been a key piece in achieving that goal.

However, if Bakhtiari chooses the Chiefs over Cleveland, the Browns will need to pivot quickly. They could explore younger, less proven players or make a trade to bring in a starting-caliber offensive lineman. With the season underway, any delay in addressing this need could have a ripple effect on their offensive production.

Will Bakhtiari Choose Kansas City?

As the NFL season kicks off, the future of David Bakhtiari remains uncertain, but the possibility of him joining the Kansas City Chiefs seems increasingly likely. For a player who has been vocal about wanting to compete for championships, the Chiefs provide an ideal destination. If Bakhtiari can stay healthy and return to form, his signing could be one of the biggest midseason acquisitions in recent memory.

For the Browns, missing out on Bakhtiari would be a disappointment, but the team still has time to explore other options. As both teams look to solidify their rosters, the next few days could determine where Bakhtiari lands—and how he will impact the 2024 NFL season.