Bryan Bulaga Price Tag Likely Out of Packers’ Range

Bryan Bulaga is now projected to make $12 million per year on a new deal. That unfortunately is likely out of the Green Bay Packers’ price range.

With the recent reports that we heard at the NFL Combine, it had already looked like Bryan Bulaga wouldn’t be back with the Green Bay Packers in 2020.

Tom Silverstein and Jim Owczarski of Packers News would report that Bulaga’s representatives and the Packers hadn’t talked yet. While Matt Schneidman of The Athletic (subscription required) would say that based on what he heard at the combine, he expects Bulaga to sign elsewhere this offseason.

Well, now there is another nail in the coffin of Bryan Bulaga’s career in Green Bay and that is that according to Charles Robinson, Bulaga is projected to make $12 million per year as a free agent.

Previously, we were under the impression that Bulaga would earn around the $10 million per year mark as that is what Spotrac was projecting and even at that amount there was uncertainty around whether or not that would be too rich for Green Bay.

But if the $12 million per year projection is accurate, that is very likely out of the Packers’ price range. While I’m sure they would love to have him back, historically Green Bay doesn’t hand out third contracts to offensive linemen, Bulaga does have an injury history, he will be turning 31 before the new season begins, and the Packers have limited cap space compared to last year with other needs to fill.

I think for all of those reasons coupled with Bulaga’s price tag, it’s unfortunately too much stacked against him and it looks like he will sign elsewhere this offseason.

This undoubtedly leaves a huge hole at the right tackle position and in my opinion, vaults it to priority No.1 to address this offseason. Especially with a quarterback that will be turning 37 this season.

A popular name to fill the role as a stop-gap is free agent Jared Veldheer who performed quite well during his two games with Green Bay in 2019. On top of that, he knows this offense and he isn’t going to break the bank either. But I think it’s also worth pointing out that over a 16 game season, he will likely be exposed much more than he was in that small sample size from last season.

Unless the Packers plan to spend big money on Jack Conklin, which I’m not banking on, Veldheer is a likely solution but he only solves the problem for a season. Green Bay will still have to spend an early round draft pick on their long-term answer at the position.

Some names to keep you eyes on as the draft process unfolds are Austin Jackson, Josh Jones, Prince Tega Wanogho, Lucas Niang, Ben Bartch and Matthew Peart.

As we saw last season, Bulaga is still playing at a high level which means just about any likely replacement is going to be a downgrade at a key position. Along with wide receiver, inside linebacker, defensive lineman, and others, tackle is now a major need that has to be addressed this offseason.