Green Bay Packers Roundtable: Predictions for Free Agency

2. Will the Pack bring back Bryan Bulaga? If not, who should they get to replace him?

Jacob Westendorf: They should. Bulaga is one of the best players at his position in all of football. That said, his market is reportedly going to surpass $12 million annually. That’s a number I struggle to see them matching. As far as replacements, really the only option, I think is bringing back Jared Veldheer. He was solid in relief last season and doesn’t force you to play musical chairs with the offensive line.

Mike Wendlandt: It’s becoming less and less likely every day, and I expect Bulaga to play somewhere else in 2020 if for no other reason besides the price it’ll cost to retain him. With how the team has treated players with an extensive injury history like Bulaga, the best offer he could expect from the Packers would be a lower cap hit and laden with incentives, and he’s likely looking for more guaranteed money.

To replace him, look for a return for Jared Veldheer to man right tackle for a year as a rookie learns the ropes. Veldheer has stated that he wants to play in 2020 and fit in well with the team when he joined last season. He’s athletic, intelligent, and is good in pass protection. The team then drafts a talented developmental tackle on Day 1 or 2 (Josh Jones, Ezra Cleveland, Austin Jackson come to mind).

Paul Bretl: Although I do want Green Bay to bring back Bulaga, I’m going to trust the recent reports and assume that he’s on his way out of town. And if that’s the case, Jared Veldheer makes a lot of sense. He’s familiar with the offense, filled in quite well during his two games last season, and he won’t break the bank.

However, Veldheer is a one-year solution. This means Green Bay should still plan on drafting a tackle in the early rounds that can sit and develop for a season before hopefully become the long term answer at the position.