While the NFL’s free agency period doesn’t officially start for a couple of weeks, the Green Bay Packers still haven’t begun the process of re-signing veteran right tackle Bryan Bulaga.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers haven’t had any conversations with Bulaga or his representation about a new deal since the end of the team’s season in late January.
Bulaga, who turns 31 in March, just completed his second full contract with the Packers. He has an extensive history of major injuries, but he’s also played 30 of the last 32 regular-season games and is coming off one of his best pro seasons.
The Packers don’t have an in-house replacement for Bulaga and would create a massive hole on the offense if he isn’t re-signed. However, the team isn’t blessed with massive amounts of cap space and could be restricted financially, especially if Bulaga has a big market among tackle-needy NFL teams.
The Packers still need to extend the contract of Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark, and standout running back Aaron Jones is about to enter a contract year in 2020.
GM Brian Gutekunst indicated before the combine that the Packers would be waiting until after the event to get into major roster-building decisions, including the contract situations of veteran free agents such as Bulaga, but the team did already re-sign kicker Mason Crosby. It’s clear the Packers prioritized bringing back Crosby and are now in wait-and-see mode with Bulaga.
In 2019, Bulaga helped shut down high-profile pass-rushers such as Khalil Mack, Danielle Hunter and Demarcus Lawrence while holding down the right tackle position for an offensive line with the highest pass-blocking win rate in the NFL.
The Packers may have a better idea of Bulaga’s market and potential price tag coming out of the combine in Indianapolis.
