Packers: Jared Veldheer could be the short-term answer at right tackle
Jared Veldheer is committed to playing in 2020, and he could be the Packers’ answer at right tackle next season.
With Bryan Bulaga‘s future up in the air as free agency approaches, the Green Bay Packers could decide to offer Jared Veldheer a new contract.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Veldheer plans to play in 2020. This is significant news as Veldheer came out of retirement to sign with the Packers back in December, but whether he’d want to play on into 2020 remained unclear.
Veldheer started in Green Bay’s divisional-round victory over the Seattle Seahawks, filling in for Bulaga, who missed the game due to illness. Veldheer played admirably and was excellent in pass protection.
According to @PFF, Jared Veldheer didn't allow a sack, hit or pressure while playing 100% of the #Packers offensive snaps against the Seahawks in place of starting RT Bryan Bulaga (illness). Again, Veldheer was retired six weeks ago. GM Brian Gutekunst working his magic.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 14, 2020
Like Bulaga, Veldheer will become a free agent again when the new league year begins on March 18. However, it’s likely Veldheer’s salary will be far lower than Bulaga’s, making him a potential option to start at right tackle in 2020.
Veldheer will turn 33 before the new season begins but he’d be a good short-term option at right tackle.
I still strongly believe that re-signing Bulaga is the Packers’ best option given how well he played in 2019, and the importance of the tackle position. However, so close to free agency, we have to accept the reality that this might be difficult for the Packers to pull off given the interest he’ll have around the league.
Bulaga is still one of the best right tackles in the game and bringing him back should remain the number one priority for the Packers, but if his price tag is too high, re-signing Veldheer would make sense.
The Packers could then turn to a talented rookie class at tackle with the aim of finding Veldheer’s eventual replacement. In the short term, they’d have more depth. Long term, they might find a future starter.
Again, it will be very difficult to find a replacement for Bulaga. Veldheer is talented and has lots of experience, but Bulaga has been successful year after year for Green Bay. That said, GM Brian Gutekunst may decide to save some cap room and use that money elsewhere, perhaps signing one of the best available linebackers like Cory Littleton.
Not re-signing Bulaga would be a risk. He could easily have a Pro Bowl season elsewhere. But if they are going to move on, re-signing an experienced tackle like Veldheer makes the most sense as a short-term solution, while also drafting another tackle in April.