Tag: Bryan Bulaga Chargers

Chargers releasing OT Bryan Bulaga

The Chargers will save $10.7 million against the cap by cutting Bryan Bulaga.

The Chargers are releasing offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga.

The team will save $10.7 million against the cap by cutting Bulaga.

Bulaga signed a three-year, $30 million contract last year with the hopes of supplying sustainability at the right tackle spot.

However, Bulaga’s first season with the team was cut to 10 games as he dealt with various injuries.

In his second year with Los Angeles, Bulaga played in just two quarters of the season opener after suffering an injury that landed him on the injured reserve.

Bulaga had surgery on his core muscle and never returned to the field, despite starting to work on the practice field in November.

Now, the Chargers’ attention will turn to either signing a veteran or drafting one to compete with Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins for the starting job in 2022.

Chargers’ Bryan Bulaga among underrated free agent signings

Tom Telesco is having a great offseason so far.

Quarterback Tom Brady, cornerback Byron Jones, among others have made the headlines after agreeing to deals with their new perspective teams. But there are other agreements that haven’t gotten as much attention nationally that are just as important.

Among one of them that has flown under the radar is the Chargers agreeing to terms with offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga. And that is why ESPN’s Anthony Threash believes it’s one of the most free agent acquisitions thus far.

Here is what he said to say:

The Chargers’ offensive line desperately needed change. It ranked No. 31 in the PFF pass-block grade a season ago, and the Chargers’ offensive tackles gave up the highest pressure rate of any tackle tandem in the NFL.

Bulaga will come in to steady the ship after cementing his standing as one of the NFL’s best pass-protectors over the course of his career. He has produced a top-10 pass-block grade among right tackles in every single season since 2014, with three of those being in the top three. And he’s also coming off the second-best season of his career as a run-blocker, posting a 79.4 run-block grade in 2019 that ranked ninth among all tackles.

The Bolts experienced trouble at the right tackle spot the past few seasons. Bulaga will now help protect quarterback Tyrod Taylor, along with a potential rookie signal-caller. The former Iowa product will also pave the way for running backs Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson.

Going into his 11th season, Bulaga will only turn 31 next week. He has battled injuries during his career but he started all but three games over the past two seasons.

Bulaga graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 15 overall tackle last season. He also finished 12th among all NFL tackles in ESPN’s Pass Block Win Rate last season (91.7%).

While there is still a question mark at the left tackle position after the departure of Russell Okung, the team’s offensive line group is undoubtedly improved going forward after the additions of Bulaga and guard Trai Turner.

Chargers agree to deal with OT Bryan Bulaga

The Chargers are getting some much-needed help in the trenches.

The Chargers are getting some much-needed help in the trenches.

Los Angeles and former Packers offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga have agreed to a three-year deal worth $30 million, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

The former first-round pick out of Iowa has had two knee surgeries. But despite that, he has still managed to start 111 of his 115 games over the past nine seasons, showing exemplary toughness.

Bulaga has always been outstanding in pass protection, but he transitioned well to Matt LaFleur’s outside-zone scheme in the run game.

In each of his full seasons since 2014, Bulaga has ranked among the 10 best right tackles in Pro Football Focus’ pass-blocking grade, with three ranking in the top three.

Chargers’ new offensive line coach James Campen came over from Green Bay where he coached Bulaga from 2010 to 2017, so the familiarity likely helped lure in the 30-year old.

PFF tabs free agent Chargers need to target this offseason

Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga would be a great signing for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco has had a knack for finding some gems via free agency – offensive tackle Russell Okung, center Mike Pouncey and cornerback Casey Hayward.

Los Angeles enters this offseason with the most salary cap space they’ve had since Telesco took over in 2013 ($56,245 million). That means the team could be in a prime position to acquire one or two big-name free agents.

In need of shoring up the offensive line, there will be a few options that should bring some intrigue, depending on whether or not they decide to re-sign with their original team.

For Pro Football Focus, offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga is the soon-to-be free agent that the Bolts need to pursue this offseason.

The Chargers’ offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL in pass-protection last year, ranking 31st in PFF pass-blocking grade. They need fresh veteran faces, and right tackle Bryan Bulaga is the perfect fit. Bulaga has routinely been one of the best right tackles in pass-protection in his career. In each of his full seasons since 2014, Bulaga has ranked among the 10 best right tackles in PFF pass-blocking grade, with three ranking in the top three.

No matter who is behind center next season, making sure that quarterback is kept clean is an absolute must. Bulaga is a proven right tackle that would be able to aid in the pass protection department.

Bulaga, who started all regular season games in 2019, ranked No. 21 in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency (97.2), which measures sacks, hits and hurries per pass-rushing snap.

Bulaga has started 111 of the 115 games he has played. An injured hip forced him to miss seven games in 2012. He then missed the 2013 season after tearing his right ACL in training camp and 11 games in 2017 after tearing his left ACL.

Since the knee injury three seasons ago, Bulaga has managed to stay on the field. When he is playing, he is a dominant force – shutting down the league’s best pass rushers.

Bulaga, 30, is coming off a five-year, $33 million contract, but his new deal is expected to cost more annually. He could command a little north of $10 million per year, which calculates the market value of his next contract to be three years and about $30.4 million, per Spotrac.

It may seem like a decent amount of money, but given how much of a need it is to fulfill the position, giving one of the league’s best right tackles that type of paycheck could pay huge dividends.