That's how these things go. Bulaga's successor will likely have to be drafted. Quality, affordable OTs don't tend to make it to free agency.

In retrospect cutting Sitton and letting Lang go made the Packers worse. Also in retrospect, neither was worth the contract they signed, and neither made it to the final year of their 3 year contracts due to injury problems. 30+ year old olineman tend to be pretty beat up. Will the injury prone Bulaga buck the trend and put in 3 years of high end play at 30+ years old for the Chargers? The magic 8 balls says: not likely, but stranger things have happened.

Ricky Wagner might suck, but that doesn't necessarily mean signing Bulga to another contract was a good idea.

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From 2016 to 2018 Wagner average PFF grade was 73.6 (before dropping off a map to 59.0 this year)... Bulaga who some say had a great year, this last year, had a grade of 77.8.

Gute seems to be betting Wagner will bounce back and that the 4.5 million per year difference (and maybe the potential 4th round comp selection) will make this move an upgrade (as they have less than $2 million this year left in available space and need to make more for the coming season).

Also, note, when have Gute's FA worked out the very best? When their personal guys have had a key and direct understanding of the player.

Tramon Williams, known connection to the Packers and Pettine (both on Brown's together).

Jimmy Graham, no know connects

Z. Smith, played on Ravens while Gute's good buddy and now Packers second hand man was working with the Ravens.

P. Smith, worked with Packers ILBers coach while both where with the Redskins.

Amos, Gute said they knew him extremely well, because you scout the division extremely well.

Billy Turner, no known connections.

Christian Kirksey, played for Pettine while both were with the Browns (also in Milt's Ravens division)

Wagner, drafted and played for the Ravens, before going to the Lions inside the division.


Now, who knows if these guys stay healthy, but the Packers think and better that they'll bounce back.

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I'll take it! We don't need All-Pro's at every position and backup position (you weren't saying that, but I know some feel it) to be a winner. The key element to an OL is health. If they are all healthy, they will gel, they unify and they will dominate. We saw this proven in 2014.

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