As the Green Bay Packers enter training camp, no group will be under a microscope like the offensive line. With a host of exciting young talent but few established starters on the interior, plus both experienced starting tackles recovering from injuries, it’s the wild west of position battles.
The team has a few months to figure out their best five, but that could be even more challenging than expected following the news that All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari will start training camp on the off-season PUP list. Bakhtiari’s status was always going to be the biggest story of training camp, and this prologue isn’t promising.
With fellow tackle Elgton Jenkins (probably) also starting camp on the PUP list, Green Bay’s young linemen have big shoes to fill. Probably literally. Besides Yosh Nijman, who performed well when the Packers called upon him last season, there isn’t established tackle depth on the roster. It always made sense for the team to add a veteran tackle this summer, but the need is more crucial now. There’s one particular option available, someone who knows the offense, is close to Aaron Rodgers, and just happened to be in Green Bay this past weekend.
Could a Bryan Bulaga reunion make sense for the Packers?
Bulaga, who played for the Packers from 2010-19, teased that he was in Green Bay this past weekend with a photo of Lambeau Field on his social media accounts. This led to speculation that a reunion could be imminent. It turns out the former Hawkeye, a known Man City fan, was simply in town for the Man City-Bayern soccer match hosted at Lambeau.
But could there have been more behind the scenes? Perhaps a conversation, or at least gauging interest between the two parties?
The Los Angeles Chargers recently released Bulaga, and he is currently a free agent. He signed a 3-year, $30 million deal in 2020 but only played in 11 games for the Bolts. At 33, Bulaga’s Chargers deal might have been the last massive payday of his career. Therefore, he may be open to a team-friendly deal to compete for another Super Bowl ring with the team that drafted him.
Injury history has not been kind to Bulaga. He’s only played a full season thrice in his 11-year career. But one of those healthy seasons was as recent as 2019, his last in Green Bay, where he remained one of the best tackles in the NFL. While he might not have always been healthy, Bulaga was always a highly efficient tackle.
Bulaga’s injury history is a concern, but the Packers won’t sign him expecting Bulaga to be a starter. Matt LaFleur has given his young draftees every opportunity to earn starting roles on the offensive line, but Brian Gutekunst has also brought in an experienced veteran option every season. Jared Veldheer, Ricky Wagner, and Dennis Kelly all spent time as veteran options for the team.
Bulaga spent the first stage of his career protecting Aaron Rodgers and played for LaFleur’s version of the team in 2019. As far as veteran acquisitions go, there probably isn’t a better fit than Bulaga.
If Bakhtiari misses time, Nijman is instantly the favorite to start the season at left tackle. This gives LaFleur the option of either starting the best of his young tackle prospects on the right side or trusting that Bulaga can stay healthy and giving the veteran the reins. Should Bulaga join the team as a backup rather than a preferred starter, he can back up both spots. While he spent most of his Packers tenure at right tackle, he has left tackle experience. And he’d have Rodgers’ confidence at either spot.
It’s always a pipe dream that fan favorites can return to Green Bay in the twilight years of their career. However, the Green and Gold faithful rarely get their wish. But Rodgers is getting a little more input in free-agent signings, and the return of Randall Cobb last summer showed the team’s willingness to offer second stints with the team.
Bulaga’s return isn’t just a hope. He’s available, plays a position of need, and there is precedence for this type of veteran tackle acquisition. The Packers need to look for a veteran tackle anyway. Why shouldn’t it be Bulaga, who has more experience with the team than any of the other potential candidates?
Ideally, Bakhtiari can return to the active lineup before the season opener, and Jenkins has a quick recovery. But it’s always best to be prepared, especially with the offensive line. Gutekunst has invested heavily in the offensive line the past few years, and the youngbloods should get every chance to compete. But having a veteran who can easily fill in as needed and provide valuable leadership is a blessing. Bulaga offers all of that while being a fan favorite to boot. Maybe his brief visit to Lambeau this weekend is the first of many more Green Bay weekends.
