:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66219869/1192530119.jpg.0.jpg)
If there is one player on the Green Bay Packers offensive line who has been unfairly criticized in recent years, it’s been Bryan Bulaga.
In most fans’ eyes, it’s not that Bulaga has been bad, it’s that he couldn’t remain healthy. He stuffed two ACL injuries in his career to go along with other smaller injuries that come with being an NFL offensive lineman for ten seasons.
When Bulaga has been available he has been one of the best right tackles in the league. In 2019, he played in every single game except the divisional playoff game against Seattle but that was due to a big working its way through the Packers’ locker room. He was still active for that game however, so Bulaga was available for every single game for the first time since 2016.
Not only was he available, but he also played very well. Pro Football Focus had him 16th among all tackles and 7th best as a run blocker. His performance this year has raised legitimate questions as to whether or not the Packers will buck their recent trend of letting offensive linemen leave that are entering the twilight of their career. Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang were either cut or not re-signed and they didn’t have much left when they went to their new teams.
Whether or not Brian Gutekunst brings Bulaga back remains to be seen, but the Packers could do a lot worse than keeping number 75 around.
Now for today’s curds.
As uncertainty looms, Bryan Bulaga takes pride in this past season—Packers.com
Bulaga destroyed the narrative many had written about him and he’s hoping it pays off in the form of a decent contract. Where that contract will be signed is a mystery that won’t be solved until March, unless the Packers sign him sooner.
Packers’ free-agent questions: Blake Martinez gone? Bryan Bulaga back?—ESPN
As for the rest of Green Bay’s pending free agent class, Bulaga and Martinez headline the group but aside from those two and maybe Marcedes Lewis it’s not hard to imagine a majority not coming back.
If Aaron Rodgers wants to win another Super Bowl, he must embrace change—PackersNews.com
As our Peter Bukowski said yesterday, the quick release really doesn’t do much unless you have weapons that eat up yards after the catch. Which, at last check, the Packers did not in 2019
Green Bay East didn’t last long at all. While doubtful, a reunion of Highsmith and Wolf under Gutekunst would be a welcome sight for the Packers.
Man finds 6-foot snake in couch while digging for keys in cushions—WBAY
Welp, time to move.