Is Bryan Bulaga's Time in Green Bay Coming to an End?

With the Super Bowl in the rearview mirror, the player acquisition phase of the 2018 NFL offseason is fast approaching. The draft and free agency get the most headlines, but teams across the league also face tough decisions regarding players already on their roster. For the Packers one of those players in veteran right tackle Bryan Bulaga.

Unlike some other veterans on the roster—Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb, for example—Bulaga’s status isn’t based on perceived declining performance, but how much the team can count on him to be available going forward. Bulaga missed the entire 2013 season due to a torn ACL in his left knee, and appeared in just five games in 2017 before tearing the other one. He also missed seven games in 2012 with a hip injury.

In total, Bulaga has missed 43 regular season games over his eight seasons as a pro. His most recent knee injury will likely keep him off the field until late in the Packers’ offseason program, and he’ll be playing on two repaired ACLs when that time comes.

It’s not hard to see why the Packers would want to do all they can to keep Bulaga around. He’s been a top-tier right tackle throughout his career when healthy, and the team doesn’t exactly have a wealth of talent behind him.

Between Kyle Murphy, Jason Spriggs and Justin McCray, Green Bay tried just about everything in Bulaga’s absence in 2017. McCray will likely slot in as a guard for next season, especially if Jahri Evans decides to hang it up. Spriggs, a second-round draft pick meant to bolster the position, hasn’t nearly lived up to the potential the Packers apparently saw in him. Murphy was lost for the season with a foot injury back in September, though he probably looked the best at the position, if one was forced to choose.

Because of all that, Green Bay might be hesitant to move on from a veteran tackle who has proven his talent on the field, even if he comes with an elevated risk of injury. Regardless, it seems likely the team will look to bolster, if not significantly improve, the position during the offseason, probably in the draft.

The Packers aren’t likely to rely on an inexperienced player on the offensive line, given the importance of Aaron Rodgers staying healthy. For now, that makes Bulaga, injury concerns and all, the best option on the roster. If Brian Gutekunst can find a veteran at the right price, though, it’s hard to see him not pulling the trigger. And if that’s the case, Bulaga’s days in Green Bay could be coming to a close.

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Comments (46)

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billybobton's picture

February 07, 2018 at 12:51 pm

Bulaga was a 'top tier' RT for about 9 games
otherwise he is just a guy at best
and last year when he was on the field he was not a guy, he was not good, he was bad

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Finwiz's picture

February 07, 2018 at 12:57 pm

BB is done. Backup at best, and should renegotiate if anything, but outright release wouldn't hurt.
Guy couldn't stay healthy last few years.

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Razer's picture

February 07, 2018 at 01:30 pm

The beauty of the Bryan Bulaga situation is that the Packers can allow him to rehab and get back to health using the PUP designation. If he can come back strong great, otherwise we'll have developed options for his replacement.

The mistake would be in NOT preparing to replace Bulaga. Are Spriggs and Murphy viable options at RT? If our experience with Hundley is any indication, there is no way to tell until the crap hits the fan. I tend to trust James Campen - Mike McCarthy - not so much.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 08, 2018 at 12:37 am

I do get what you're saying, but I find no beauty in a guy with an $8M cap hit going on PUP. Still, if Bulaga can play the last 7 to 10 games and playoffs and regain most of his form, that would be a plus for GB.

I do think Bulaga is living on his reputation around here, like some undeserving pro bowlers who get in one more time based on past performance. He looked to me like an average or a tick or two above average starting RT in 2016, and less than that in 2017.

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dobber's picture

February 08, 2018 at 09:57 am

Did he look like a below average RT in 2017 because he was playing next to Jahri Evans and not TJ Lang?

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 09, 2018 at 05:58 pm

Not sure, but I would not have thought so. I did say he was an average to a bit above average starting RT, not below average. Overall I favor rolling the dice and keeping Bulaga for 2018. I hope he will be able to return some time during 2018 (even if he needs to go on the PUP and returns sometime between week 6 and 11) and in time for the playoffs at close to his previous level of play, or as good. Of course, the FO will have access to his medical information.

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dobber's picture

February 09, 2018 at 07:26 pm

You're right...my goof (on the average part).

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carlos's picture

February 09, 2018 at 06:38 pm

Razer, I was never impressed with Spriggs or Murphy.

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Packer_Fan's picture

February 07, 2018 at 02:04 pm

The four guys Censored noted are the ones most likely to have their contract restructured or let go. The Packers need to increase their cap space. Who knows how this will go at this time. I do like restructuring better because you don't loose still valued veterans. You can bet if the Pack release those four, they will be playing for other teams next year. Perhaps at a lower price.

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stockholder's picture

February 07, 2018 at 02:12 pm

We just don't have better. Spriggs and Murphy may not make the jumps. Not to mention other Question marks. Can they make it back from an injury? I don't like the free agency option here either. Bulaga is getting slower. The speed rushers have burned him bad. But he won't make mistakes like the others. I say still keep him. He always has come back when people have given up on him before.

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Big Moe's picture

February 07, 2018 at 02:33 pm

I think we need to spend a second round pick at least, in order to protect ARod's blind side, and restructure BB, I just hate the thought of him going elsewhere and staying healthy, he's just got the right temperament, if only he can stay on the field.

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worztik's picture

February 07, 2018 at 04:02 pm

“If only he can stay on the field” says it ALL!!!

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worztik's picture

February 07, 2018 at 04:04 pm

Bahk protects AROD’s blind side unless he has 2...

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worztik's picture

February 07, 2018 at 02:51 pm

Keep Nelson!!! A bit slower but, still our #1B at WR. Pay Bulaga at a backup rate as veteran insurance. I don’t know how much less Mathews and Cobb are willing to take but, if it’s not significant, let ‘em walk! How much is Burnett worth? Good question! I, obviously, don’t know what value the team has placed on Spriggs... I can’t believe it’s very much and IMHO, I felt that Murphy actually did a far better job for being a lot lower pick! Spriggs time is NOW or see ya... it’s been a thing!!! Without researching current contract values of our stellar back ups, I say let ‘Em walk! (I’m thinking mainly DBs here.). As some clever feller once said, “A million here and a million there and pretty soon we’re talking real money!!! We should be able to divest enough in dead weight to pay a good percentage of AROD’s 1st year of his new contract. I believe that there are good players out there in FA to replace our released players... maybe at a lower cost! All hypothetical, but, I like hypothetical... maybe not as much as Jackie D but, somewhat. Just sayin’....

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stockholder's picture

February 07, 2018 at 09:32 pm

I'm against pay cuts. 1. Mathews is needed. Lets say the packers do take Davenport at #14. You now have an edge /DE with Perry. Thats 4-3-4 if they want. If they go 5 front it still works with Mathews at OLB. Or he can move inside. No other LB can do what Mathews can! Nelson came back from a Knee injury . He'll come back From Hundley. Cobb is needed to go over the middle. No one else has the courage that Cobb has. He does not have the concussion risk yet. Had A-Rod not gotten hurt, his stats would have been a 1000 yards @ WR. Biegel will be playing more. The packers need depth at LB. And it should be addressed later in the draft. I agree with the mocks "somewhat" now. (Versatility) Davenport or another DB will be hard to pass up. But the packers could look like monkeys if they don't take an all-pro first.

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Madfan's picture

February 07, 2018 at 03:16 pm

Presume for discussion that the Packers wish to cut Bulaga before the "fiscal" season begins in March. They would save about $4.5 million in 2018 and about $6 million in 2019. This takes into account salary, bonuses and acceleration of the prorated signing bonus.

If the Packers can sign a very good, younger FA for $5 to $8 million a year, I'd say go for it. This FA would cost very little more than Bulaga for the next two years. And, still be there for a few more years. I doubt GB would give Bulaga a contract extension given his injury record.

However, if they can't find a very good, younger FA, I'd hold on to Bulaga long enough to see what else happens. He will only cost the Packers $250,000 in workout bonuses until the time when his salary becomes guaranteed for the season (I assume the week before the first game.

If I were Gutekunst, I'd want to use my first round pick for a player that has a chance to be a "difference maker". In general, I don't see a RT as a difference maker. I may wish to consider a RT in the second round, but there are so many other needs, such as WR, TE and maybe S. I'm not sure that I'd count on a third round RT to be ready to start his first year and I'd count even less on a 4th round RT.

So, in terms of making the best use of the "Bulaga"money, I'd suggest Gutekunst, give great consideration to a very good, younger RT during free agency. If he can find one, I'd go for it. Otherwise, I don't see Bulaga's replacement for 2018 on the roster or being drafted in rounds three through seven.

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Tundraboy's picture

February 07, 2018 at 07:56 pm

Exactly.

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stockholder's picture

February 08, 2018 at 10:45 am

What? - Look what we didn't want to pay Lang. And your going to blow any future comp picks signing a new guy? Example Bennets signing blew away a 5th. There is no way MM gives up on Spriggs/Murphy. And then if your going in the free Agent market, why not give Barnett money so you don't have to draft a safety. GO AFTER THE TE FIRST! Cutting Bulaga? Not smart! Plenty of options in this draft at OL.

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worztik's picture

February 08, 2018 at 11:46 am

I heard a team can only receive 4 comp picks in a year...

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stockholder's picture

February 08, 2018 at 12:12 pm

YEP - But the formula includes others.

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stockholder's picture

February 08, 2018 at 12:13 pm

DP.

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4thand1's picture

February 07, 2018 at 03:32 pm

Just remember, Bahk wasn't that great at the start. The more he played the better he got. I think Spriggs will get the RT nod, hopefully he improves.

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Point-Packer's picture

February 08, 2018 at 12:36 am

Spriggs is a TT bust. You are out of your mind. Murphy has some potential. I would rather see Spriggs on the next train to the CFL (where he belongs) than GB's starting right tackle. You have to be joking. He has never been anything but awful since he came into the league. Bakh showed potential early and often. Spriggs, massive TT failure.

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HankScorpio's picture

February 08, 2018 at 05:49 am

Guys develop at different rates, particularly among O-line. Mark Tauscher entered the league NFL ready. Others, like Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle, took considerably longer.

Maybe Spriggs is a bust. Maybe not. It's getting close to making that final determination but maybe not quite yet. There is no harm in carrying him through the offseason to take one more look in TC.

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fthisJack's picture

February 08, 2018 at 07:20 am

i wouldn't give up on Spriggs, Murphy, or McCray yet. OL sometimes take years to develop. Lang certainly wasn't that good his few several years and he turned out ok. i would look for a mid round OL in the draft and eyeball what is there in FA also.

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John Kirk's picture

February 07, 2018 at 03:34 pm

I hope so. 43 games missed in 8 seasons? That's more than 5 games a season or about third of each season. It was a mistake extending him the last time.

Bulaga represented Ted Thompson more than any other player to me. We had a chance at Dez Bryant that draft. Ted went the safe route and the floor player. The safe vanilla choice. The one who couldn't change games. He should've been a G. I know PFF will be quoted back but the guy was brutal vs speed. That first half at Seattle Fail Mary was like playing Colledge and Lang vs Jared Allen in the old Metrodome. Irvin killed him.

Bulaga was never a dominating player just another solid unspectacular Ted guy. That era and type needs to be culled from the roster and it would be poetic to me to see Bulaga gone now that Ted is no longer our GM.

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Cartwright's picture

February 07, 2018 at 06:45 pm

We need to protect Rodgers at all cost, without him we're toast. He was one of the most sacked qb's in the league when he got hurt. Can't rely on Bulaga and on his 2 bum knees and where looking at Spriggs again if he goes down. I'm sure Gute's has something planned. If he went and drafted 8 offensive lineman I wouldn't squawk. Give Aaron a secure pocket with time to throw and where going places even if our defense stinks. Brady is as good as he is because , in part, in has all day to throw back there. Build that wall!

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Tundraboy's picture

February 07, 2018 at 07:58 pm

4 blocks of granite!

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Tundraboy's picture

February 07, 2018 at 07:31 pm

As much as I think Bulaga might need to retire for his future health, we absolutely need him. But we also need an experienced back up. Can not afford to risk Rodgers health more than ever and grooming a prospect in the draft has to take a back seat for the time being.

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Riverboy's picture

February 07, 2018 at 10:13 pm

Why not keep Bulaga for one more year and roll the dice on his health in 2018? To replace him with a healthy RT with similar takent would cost the Packers twice what they would save on his cap hit. The smarter move would be to move or cut Nelson and Cobb and use the $20M+ to add Sammy Watkins and get some much needed defensive help. Ziggy Ansah or Dontari Poe would look good in green & gold. Let's face it the Packers need to upgrade more than just their GM, DC and a handful of position coaches. This Packer team needs to get an influx of proven NFL talent.

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fthisJack's picture

February 08, 2018 at 07:28 am

there is a salary cap. an influx of NFL talent won't come cheap so you have to get rid of some dead weight on the roster if you choose this route. Bulaga misses time every year and he's not getting any more athletic with age. now on 2 repaired knees, i would say move on. we have 3 young guys and the draft and FA to save some money and upgrade that position.

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fthisJack's picture

February 08, 2018 at 07:28 am

there is a salary cap. an influx of NFL talent won't come cheap so you have to get rid of some dead weight on the roster if you choose this route. Bulaga misses time every year and he's not getting any more athletic with age. now on 2 repaired knees, i would say move on. we have 3 young guys and the draft and FA to save some money and upgrade that position.

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carlos's picture

February 09, 2018 at 06:56 pm

Maybe I should start liking Murphy Mojo. Interesting. I figured if he went to Stanford he should be smart. I hope he gets stronger and healthy. I like him more than Spriggs at this point in time.

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Mojo's picture

February 07, 2018 at 11:26 pm

What if I gave you the following Bio:

Worked two internships in college, the first with the San Jose Earthquakes in sales and marketing after his freshman year and then as a financial analyst with Bank of America/Merrill Lynch following his junior year…High school: Three-year varsity letterwinner in football at San Clemente (Calif.) High School, playing offensive tackle and defensive end...Named an All-American by SuperPrep, PrepStar and MaxPreps and was listed as a five-star recruit by both Rivals and Scout.com...Rated as the third-best high school offensive tackle and 19th top overall recruit in the nation by Rivals.com...Also listed as the second-best recruit in California by Rivals.com and SuperPrep...Ranked as the fourth-best offensive tackle in the country by Scout.com and ESPNU.com...Ranked as the top offensive lineman in the nation and 16th recruit overall by SuperPrep...Was a three-time All-South Coast Conference selection...Named Most Valuable Player of the South Coast Conference as a senior.

Pretty impressive right? Might want to think about taking this guy. The thing is he's already on your team. This is just part of Kyle Murphys bio. Dudes got a pedigree.

As a pro he needed to add strength but he's smart, has pro size and was showing improvement until the foot injury. I say give him plenty of PT in the preseason. The Pack may already have their RT on the roster.

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worztik's picture

February 08, 2018 at 11:54 am

Good one Mojo Man... you just “lit a fire” under his ass!!!!!

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Tundraboy's picture

February 08, 2018 at 12:04 am

Hope you're right. Like Murphy and would love to see him seize the opportunity. One less critical need to worry about.

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Bure9620's picture

February 08, 2018 at 01:31 am

They can carry the artic whale on PUP. He's too much of a dead money hit of $3.2 mil. This is not worth an all out release. It would not make much sense as he could even be ready late in the season where they may need depth with injuires at that point anyway. Carry him on PUP, place on IR if needed after week 6, and activate later. If this year is a disaster, release as I believe they have an out after the year.

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croatpackfan's picture

February 08, 2018 at 02:36 am

I'm reading this comments... And I can not believe. Do any of you know phrase how neighborrow grass always looks greener?

Some of you would love to have huge cap space to spent on players other teams rid of. Well, there is the reason why others cut or release that players... It is not likely because those players are so good, or excellent and team who released them wish to make your team better...

I will like to remind you on Bennett case. It was looked like TT hit on him, just to see rew months later that it was epic miss and left legal issues and some dead money...

There is no guarantee that any FA signing will function. You do not build your team through FA, you just patch the holes with FA in the team build through draft to excellency!

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flackcatcher's picture

February 08, 2018 at 06:51 am

We all like to play fantasy GM Coat. don't harsh our mellow! (Yes, you right. I thought TT signing of both Bennett and Kendricks over Cook was genius. Who could have known that they both blow up........)

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billybobton's picture

February 09, 2018 at 01:23 pm

Instead of repeating inaccurate nonsense look at what happened, let me clue you in a bit

WRs, catch the ball low drop rate don't block esp don't w/big guys

TE, hybrid, don't catch well HAVE TO BLOCK BIG GUYS
and blocking big guys hurts, it impacts catch rate

OL can not catch and do block

Bennett played OL until he was hurt, stop looking at idiots like Pete D and watch what happens on the field instead

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Tundraboy's picture

February 09, 2018 at 08:24 pm

Free Agency works too. Grass can be greener. The art is knowing which players would fit. There are many examples of players who prosper in different situations. It works both ways. We may even find some in-house who respond to Pettine's message.

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bodei1newbie1's picture

February 08, 2018 at 04:45 am

i think it's time to say good bye to Bulaga and bring in a good free agent right tackle on offense

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fthisJack's picture

February 08, 2018 at 07:38 am

as MOJO said, their RT may already be on the roster and no one knows it yet. we have to give Murphy and Spriggs a chance to develop. not everyone comes in ready to contribute. but to stick with an oft injured, aging dude with bad knees making big money is a waste. look to FA and the draft for depth.

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egbertsouse's picture

February 08, 2018 at 09:54 am

Burnett is a JAG. HHCD is a bum. The safety position needs to be revamped but only after they secure a pass rusher.

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worztik's picture

February 08, 2018 at 11:55 am

WC... tell us how you really feel!!!

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Riverboy's picture

February 09, 2018 at 07:40 pm

Hey croatpackfan!
You should check out how Howie Roseman used free agency and shrewd trades to go from 7-9 to 16-3 in just one season. 68% of the Eagles roster was acquired via free agency and trade. 62% of the Pats Super Bowl roster was acquired via free agency or trade. The only one on the Patriots roster who is untouchable is #12. That should be the Packers approach to putting real NFL talent around their #12. Why pay Mason Crosby $5.25M next season when the Packers don't have an adequate backup QB? Can't we find a rookie kicker or cheap veteran who is just as good? The Packers need to get faster at WR and they need a veteran backup QB on offense. They also need more playmakers on defense. So b'bye Cobb, Nelson, Crosby and Burnett! It's been a nice run, but all four have contracts that are well above market value and other than Burnett, their production as of late has slipped. Use that cap savings to get some younger NFL talent to improve this team now - not 5 years from now when Aaron Rodgers will be 39 years old.

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