The Green Bay Packers are expected to keep the services of offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and re-sign him before he hits the free agency, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Per Rapoport, Bulaga's new deal is five years at just under $7 million per season.
Bryan Bulaga expected to re-sign with Packers, per report
Bulaga was reportedly made a top priority by the Packers, who have reportedly agreed to a five year deal with the offensive tackle.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Mortensen is also heard reports corroborating that Bulaga has agreed to stay in Green Bay:
Packers taking care of their own again - OT Bryan Bulaga staying in Green Bay, per sources
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 10, 2015
Bulaga has been with the Green Bay Packers since the team made him the 23rd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He was set to be one of the top offensive linemen to hit the open market this offseason, alongside fellow tackles Doug Free and Jermey Parnell. Both Free and Parnell got big deals from their respective teams, so it's the market for Bulaga likely would've been high.
While contract figures haven't emerged, Bulaga likely used the deal Parnell struck with the Jacksonville Jaguars as leverage. Parnell is a career backup who started seven games in 2014, but the Jaguars still offered him a deal that paid him more than $6 million per season. Bulaga will turn 26 in late March and clearly has a ton of football left in front of him, which would've made him an attractive free agent on the open market.
Pro Football Focus had Bulaga rated No. 16 among all offensive tackles this past season, and No. 9 as a pass protector. He can play either side of the offensive line, having played well on both sides with the Packers.
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