Bryan Bulaga has been a reliable starter on the Green Bay Packers offensive line since the team chose him in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft and he is reportedly staying in Green Bay despite receiving interest in free agency.
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Packers Reportedly Re-Sign Bulaga
Tuesday, March 10
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Bulaga will be staying with the Packers. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports confirmed the two sides have agreed to terms.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported earlier on Tuesday that "thePackers are expected to keep OT Bryan Bulaga, source says. They are closing in on a deal. High priority for them,"
On March 9, Tim Graham of The Buffalo News reported he continues to hear Bulaga's name connected with the Bills.
On March 8, Tom Silverstein of JSOnline.com noted, "Bulaga is considered the top tackle in free agency and may reach his number because there are teams who believe he can start at left tackle." Silverstein continued:
At the same time the Packers nailed down a deal with Cobb, they were facing the prospect of losing their No. 2 priority in free agency, right tackle Bryan Bulaga. Two NFL sources familiar with the offensive tackle market said they had been told Bulaga was seeking a contract worth between $7 million and $8 million per year.
One of the sources said the Packers had no intention of paying Bulaga $7 million per year. The sources indicated that the teams showing the most interest in Bulaga were Jacksonville, Washington and Tampa Bay, all of whom have great need on the offensive line.
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If one of those teams, or someone else, offers Bulaga $7 million or more, the Packers would have to make a decision whether they want to pay their veteran tackle more than the $6.8 million left guard Josh Sitton is making. Sitton is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and widely regarded as the team's best lineman.
Now that Cobb is signed, free agency won't be a bust for them if Bulaga leaves.
It turned out to be the right choice. David Bakhtiari held his own at left tackle, and the Packers were markedly better in pass protection, ranking 13th in Football Outsiders' ratings, compared to 26th the previous year without Bulaga in the lineup.
Asked about his future with the team on the Monday after Green Bay lost the NFC title game, Bulaga was uncertain what would happen, but he praised the unit, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Lori Nickel: "It's a great group, we all play very well together. Like I'll just continue saying, I can't predict the future. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."
Silverstein did note a potential replacement for the Packers if Bulaga leaves Green Bay:
The Packers have third-year pro Don Barclay in position to replace Bulaga if he leaves. Paying Bulaga $7.5 million to $8 million a year would be a problem because the Packers face a challenge in keeping the rest of the line together.
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If the Packers let Bulaga go, their first option would be Barclay, the undrafted free agent from West Virginia who will be entering his third season. Barclay was supposed to be the top backup at several positions last year, but he blew out his knee in training camp and did not play a snap.
It would have been a tough loss for the Packers if they didn't hold on to Bulaga. Fortunately for the team, it will have him back to protect Rodgers and keep continuity on the line.
