Chargers sign Bryan Bulaga: Grade, reactions and more
The Chargers have made another move to bolster their offensive line, signing offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga to a multi-year deal.
Bryan Bulaga’s injury history has become extensive in the last few years, but he played all 16 games for the Green Bay Packers last season and Pro Football Focus graded him out No. 15 among qualified offensive tackles. He increasingly seemed likely to hit the open market, and Green Bay’s signing of Ricky Wagner after he was cut by the Detroit Lions sealed it.
The Los Angeles Chargers have made a significant offensive line trade, sending left tackle Russell Okung to the Carolina Panthers for guard Trai Turner.
Bulaga is of course a right tackle by trade, but a bad offensive line from 2019 that allowed Philip Rivers to be pressured over 35 percent of the time has now been upgraded with another significant piece.
The Chargers’ primary right tackle last year, Sam Tevi, came in as PFF’s 61st-ranked offensive tackle. So Bulaga is a substantial upgrade.
Contract Details
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first with news of the signing, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported a three-year, $30 million deal for Bulaga with the Chargers.
Bulaga’s $10 million per year average comes in a little below the “conservative” $12 million per year Charles Robinson of Yahoo! had passed along.
National Reaction
Better protection for the Chargers next QB
— PFF (@PFF) March 17, 2020
-@PFF_Eric on the Chargers signing Bryan Bulaga pic.twitter.com/8ihhzJWHlS
Still in the hunt for Tom Brady, the #Chargers made another move to fortify their offensive line https://t.co/Q2PB3EJBib
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) March 17, 2020
Trai turner & now Bryan bulaga. Piece by piece Chargers rebuilding their OLine. Love the “from Iowa” line @RapSheet 😉 https://t.co/RwAGWLCuMV
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) March 17, 2020
Bryan Bulaga is headed to LA. Bulaga was expected to leave after the signing of Rick Wagner yesterday. https://t.co/SngNLZA6rD
— ESPN Madison (@ESPNMadison) March 17, 2020
Bryan Bulaga was one of the most underrated members of the Packers' sustained run of success. Tough as nails. Respected by everyone. Awesome pass-blocker. Overcame three major injuries over his 10 years in Green Bay and was as good in 2019 as he's ever been.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) March 17, 2020
https://twitter.com/PFF_Chargers/status/1240009534153863171?s=20
Big Blu!!! 💰💰💰 congrats big fella. Well deserved and you’ll love out in California. Perfect fit! @BBulaga https://t.co/Ayt2mN0oY0
— David Bakhtiari (@DavidBakhtiari) March 17, 2020
Bulaga played all 16 games just three times over 10 seasons in Green Bay. But besides 2017, when a torn ACL cost him 11 games, he has played at least 14 games in three of the last four seasons (all 16 twice). So in some light, durability concerns are overblown.
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The Chargers needed to address their offensive line, and it’s safe to say they’ll use an early draft pick to further bolster the protection for whoever the quarterback will be. In light of the deals a couple of others who are lesser players have gotten, Bulaga looks like a bargain.