If it wasn’t for offensive line coach James Campen being hired earlier this offseason, it remains to be seen if veteran tackle Bryan Bulaga would be in a Chargers uniform.
Bulaga, who was signed to a three-year deal, is familiar with Campen as the two spent eight years together in Green Bay. When the former Iowa product saw that his mentor was headed to Los Angeles after a stint with the Browns, it made his decision to sign that much easier.
“It was a big deal for me,” Bulaga said. “Going into a new place when I’ve been somewhere for 10 years and having a familiar face in the room, and especially someone I trust very much. I think Coach Campen’s a hell of a coach. I think he’s a hell of a person, too.”
The Chargers are hopeful that the coaching of Campen will help improve an offensive line that struggled last season because of inexperience and injuries. Pro Football Focus rated the line as the second-worst unit in the league on pass blocking.
It helps that Bulaga and guard Trai Turner were acquired this offseason, along with Mike Pouncey being medically cleared. But the rest of the group is a mystery. That’s why Campen’s magic to assist the other players is being highly anticipated.
Bulaga said that the group will enjoy playing for Campen, citing that he’s not a “cookie-cutter coach.”
“The biggest thing that he does is he allows guys to be themselves, and that’s something that as a young guy in the league. You can’t put a price tag on because he allows guys to grow and become themselves,” Bulaga said.
Campen has helped six linemen earn Pro Bowl recognition in an eight-year span: Offensive tackle Chad Clifton, center Scott Wells, guard Josh Sitton, center Jeff Saturday, tackle David Bakhtiari, guard T.J. Lang.
Los Angeles is hoping that he can produce the same results with the team’s offensive linemen.