Packers: Bryan Bulaga signs three-year deal with Chargers

Bryan Bulaga is signing with the Los Angeles Chargers.

After the Green Bay Packers signed tackle Rick Wagner, it seemed inevitable Bryan Bulaga would be on his way out.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Bulaga is signing a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers worth $30 million. The Packers clearly weren’t ready to pay Bulaga $10 million per year and have instead decided to move on.

This move makes a ton of sense for Bulaga. He will be reunited with James Campen, who was the offensive line coach in Green Bay for the majority of Bulaga’s career. He is taking on the same role with the Chargers in 2020.

What is yet unclear is which quarterback Bulaga will be protecting next season.

The Packers opted to go with a cheaper option at right tackle by signing Wagner to replace Bulaga. It’s difficult to make a case that the Packers have upgraded at the position. At the same price, re-signing Bulaga would’ve been an easy decision. But factoring in the contract Bulaga signed, his age and injury history, the Packers decided to look elsewhere.

The question we’ll now all be wondering is whether Wagner is considered Green Bay’s long-term replacement for Bulaga or whether Brian Gutekunst will look for that player in the 2020 NFL Draft. In that scenario, Wagner could be a short-term starter as the team transitions to Bulaga’s long-term successor. The fact Wagner is 30 years old suggests they’ll be searching for another tackle in the draft.

Bulaga had an incredible career with the Packers that included a Super Bowl victory in his rookie season. When healthy, he’s consistently been one of the best pass protectors in the league.

The Packers had a dominant offensive line featuring Bulaga, David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley, T.J. Lang, and Josh Sitton just a few years ago. Now only two remain in Green Bay.

Bulaga has been a huge part of this offense for many years. Thank you and good luck!