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Bryan Bulaga
Bryan Bulaga
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Bryan Joseph Bulaga (/buˈlɑːɡə/ boo-LAH-gə; born March 21, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft, winning Super Bowl XLV that season. He also played for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Key Information

Early life

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His parents are of Polish descent. Bulaga has one small Polish word tattooed on each arm (siła "strength", and pycha "pride"). He was raised Catholic.[1] Bulaga grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where he played peewee football for the Crystal Lake Raiders Youth Football program. He attended Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, Illinois, where he played offensive tackle and tight end but also at defensive end occasionally, and even at linebacker for the Marian Central Catholic Canes high school football team. He recorded 261 career tackles with 46 tackles for losses, 31 sacks, and one interception, while as a tight end, he had 35 pass receptions for a total of 665 yards, and scored 10 touchdowns. Bulaga and his teammates at the Marian Central High School, coached by Ed Brucker, were undefeated during their regular season in nine games, and they took second place in the state playoffs, losing in the championship to the Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin High School.

Bulaga was considered a four-star college recruit by the service Rivals.com, and he ranked sixth among the college prospects for offensive tackle.[2] He had numerous offers for to play football on athletic scholarships, including ones from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Wisconsin, with a number of other schools recruiting him as either a defensive lineman or a tight end. Bulaga chose to attend the University of Iowa, whose football coaches promised him that he could play in the offensive line.

College career

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Bulaga played left guard in his true freshman year in 2007, and was a starter by mid-season. He was named to Sporting News' Freshman All-Big Ten team. In 2008, he made the move to left tackle, and he started every game at that position for the Hawkeyes. He earned a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and a second-team Sophomore All-American selection by College Football News.

In 2009, Bulaga was listed at number three on Rivals.com's preseason offensive tackle power ranking.[3] He was also named to the 2009 Outland Trophy watch list.[4]

After missing three games with a thyroid disease, Bulaga started all of the remaining games for the Hawkeyes, including their 24–14 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the 2010 Orange Bowl. He was named the Big Ten's offensive lineman of the year for 2009.

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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On January 6, 2010, Bulaga released a statement about his intentions to forgo his final season of college and enter the 2010 NFL draft.[5]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 5+38 in
(1.97 m)
314 lb
(142 kg)
33+14 in
(0.84 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
5.22 s 1.80 s 3.03 s 4.75 s 7.70 s 27+12 in
(0.70 m)
8 ft 2 in
(2.49 m)
26 reps 20[6]
All values from NFL Combine[7][8]
Bulaga in a game against the Washington Redskins in 2018
Bulaga with the Packers in 2015

Green Bay Packers

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Bulaga was selected in the first round (23rd overall) by the Green Bay Packers in the 2010 NFL draft.[9][10] He began the 2010 season as a back-up offensive lineman before getting his first start in the fifth week against the Washington Redskins. He went to start every game for the rest of the season,[11] eventually being named to the NFL All-Rookie team.[12] At 21 years, 322 days, Bulaga became the youngest player to start in a Super Bowl.[13] Bulaga and the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 31–25 in the Super Bowl.[14]

During the 2012 NFL season, Bulaga injured his hip and in November was placed on season-ending injured reserve.[15] The Packers decided to shift him over to the left tackle slot for the 2013 NFL season.[16]

Bulaga suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during training camp workouts on August 4, 2013. He missed the entire 2013 season.[17]

In 2014, Bulaga had one of his finest seasons. Despite suffering an injury in week 1 to the Seattle Seahawks, he started and played in 15 of 16 games. Bulaga was instrumental in the offensive line giving up its fewest sacks (30) since the 2007 season and helped propel Eddie Lacy toward his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season.[18]

On March 10, 2015, Bulaga and the Packers agreed to a 5-year deal, worth just under $7 million per year.[19] On November 29, 2015, Bulaga was sidelined with an ankle sprain. He was later declared inactive for Week 13 against the Detroit Lions.[20]

During Monday Night Football against the Lions in Week 9, November 6, 2017, Bulaga was carted off the field with a left knee injury. The next day, it was revealed that his left knee was diagnosed with a torn ACL, putting Bulaga out for the rest of the 2017 season.[21] He was placed on injured reserve on November 18, 2017.[22]

Los Angeles Chargers

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Bulaga with Los Angeles Chargers in 2021

On March 30, 2020, Bulaga signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.[23][24] He started 10 games in 2020, missing six games with a back injury.

On September 17, 2021, Bulaga was placed on injured reserve with back and groin injuries.[25]

On March 15, 2022, Bulaga was released by the Chargers.[26]

On November 17, 2023, Bulaga retired from professional football.[27]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Bryan Bulaga (born March 21, 1989) is a former offensive tackle who played 11 seasons in the (NFL) for the and . Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 314 pounds, he was selected by the Packers in the first round (23rd overall) of the following a distinguished college career at the , where he started 23 games and earned first-team All-American honors from in 2009. Over his professional tenure, Bulaga appeared in 126 games with 122 starts, helped anchor the Packers' offensive line during their victory in 2011, and was recognized as a second-team in 2011 while earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team in 2010. He concluded his career with the Chargers in 2021 and has since retired from professional football. Bulaga was born in , and grew up in nearby Crystal Lake, where he developed his athletic skills at Marian Central Catholic High School in . During his high school career, he excelled as a multi-position player, contributing on offense as a with 35 receptions for 665 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also making significant defensive impacts with 261 tackles, 46 tackles for loss, 31 sacks, and one as a and linebacker. His versatility and performance earned him recruitment by several college programs, leading him to commit to in 2007. At , Bulaga redshirted in 2007 before transitioning to offensive tackle, starting all 13 games at left tackle as a in 2008 and earning second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches. In his junior year of 2009, he was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten, and a first-team All-American, anchoring an offensive line that supported a 10-win season and a berth in the . These accomplishments solidified his status as one of the top offensive linemen in the 2010 NFL Draft class. In the , Bulaga quickly established himself as a reliable right tackle for the Packers, appearing in all 16 games and starting 12 in his rookie season and protecting quarterback en route to Green Bay's 14-2 record and triumph over the . Despite battling injuries, including issues that sidelined him for parts of multiple seasons, he amassed 111 starts over 10 years with the Packers, earning praise for his pass-blocking prowess against elite defenders. Signed by the Chargers as a in 2020 on a three-year contract, Bulaga started 11 games over two seasons before being released in 2022, marking the end of his at age 33. Post-retirement, Bulaga has transitioned to life outside the , reflecting on his journey from prep standout to championship contributor.

Early life

Family background

Bryan Bulaga was born on March 21, 1989, in . He grew up in nearby Crystal Lake, a suburb in the area, where his family resided during his formative years. His parents, Joe and Kathi Bulaga, instilled a strong foundation in the household; Joe worked as a telecommunications manager, while Kathi served as a teacher for students with learning disabilities. The family's roots trace back to the region, with Joe hailing from the city's South Side and Kathi from suburban Cook County. Bulaga has two siblings: an older brother, Bill, who played at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and a sister, Kim, who competed in at the . The siblings shared an active lifestyle, with family activities often revolving around sports and outdoor pursuits in their community-oriented neighborhood. This environment fostered Bulaga's early athletic inclinations, though he initially gravitated more toward before developing a passion for football. Bulaga's introduction to organized football occurred through local youth leagues, including time with the Crystal Lake Raiders, where he began playing around as a seventh-grader on an eighth-grade team. This early involvement in suburban Chicago's sports scene, supported by his family's encouragement, laid the groundwork for his development as an athlete.

High school career

Bulaga attended Marian Central Catholic High School in , where he played football from 2003 to 2006. During his high school career, he excelled on both sides of the ball, lining up as an offensive tackle and on offense while also playing and linebacker on defense. Over four years, Bulaga amassed 261 tackles, including 46 tackles for loss, 31 sacks, and one interception on defense; as a , he recorded 35 receptions for 665 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a senior in 2006, Bulaga recorded 108 tackles and 23 sacks while anchoring the offensive line, where he averaged six pancake blocks per game and never allowed a sack. That , he helped lead the Hurricanes to an undefeated 9–0 regular- record and a deep run in the IHSA Class 5A playoffs, including victories over Montini Catholic (24–0), Lemont (24–13), Dixon (28–6), and Kaneland (22–7), before falling to Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 14–35 in the state championship game. His dominant performance earned him first-team all-state honors from the and MaxPreps, as well as the Northwest Herald Football Player of the Year award. Bulaga emerged as a top national recruit following his junior year, rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 6 offensive tackle in the class of 2007 by Rivals.com. He received scholarship offers from several major programs, including Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, and Wisconsin, with many initially targeting him as a defensive lineman or tight end before he committed to Iowa as an offensive tackle.

College career

University of Iowa

Bulaga was recruited by several major college programs but committed to the in 2007 as a four-star offensive tackle prospect out of Marian Central Catholic High School in , where he earned all-state honors on both sides of the ball. As a true freshman in 2007, Bulaga transitioned to left guard and secured a starting role by mid-season, appearing in 7 games with 5 starts while contributing to a Hawkeyes offense that supported a 6-6 overall record and a 4-4 mark in Big Ten play. In his year of , Bulaga shifted to left tackle and started all 13 games, anchoring an offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks—the fewest in the Big Ten—while enabling the team to average 370.4 yards per game, third-best in the conference. The Hawkeyes finished 9-4 overall (5-3 in the Big Ten) and earned a berth in the Outback Bowl, where they defeated 31-10. Bulaga's junior season in 2009 saw him start 10 of 13 games at left tackle despite missing three games (against State, , and Penn State) due to a brief hospitalization for a condition. His steady protection helped the Hawkeyes compile an 11-2 record (6-2 in the Big Ten) and claim the with a 24-14 victory over . After the 2009 campaign, Bulaga declared for the as an underclassman. At the , he measured 6 feet 5⅜ inches tall and weighed 314 pounds.

Awards and honors

As a true freshman in 2007, Bulaga earned Freshman All-Big Ten honors from for his contributions on the offensive line. In his season of 2008, he received second-team All-Big Ten recognition from the coaches and was selected as a second-team All-American by College Football News, highlighting his rapid development at left tackle. During his junior year in 2009, Bulaga was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team after maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher, recognizing his balance of athletic and academic excellence. He also served as part of the ' leadership group, one of four juniors selected for this captain-like role that guided team dynamics. As a key member of the offensive line unit on the Hawkeyes squad that finished 6-2 in Big Ten play that season, Bulaga anchored a group that supported a 10-2 regular-season record and an appearance. Bulaga's standout junior campaign earned him consensus first-team All-American honors from multiple outlets, including the , , and Foundation, as noted in pre-draft scouting evaluations that praised his technique and pass protection. He was also named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches. These accolades underscored his emergence as one of the nation's top offensive tackles and positioned him as a first-round prospect.

Professional career

2010 NFL Draft

Bulaga entered the as one of the top offensive tackle prospects, projected by analysts to be selected in the top 15 picks based on his strong college performance at , where he anchored the line as a junior All-American. Pre-draft evaluations highlighted his technical skills, physicality, and versatility. Despite a history of injuries earlier in college, Bulaga was medically cleared by teams after thorough evaluations, alleviating major red flags and maintaining his high draft stock. At the in February 2010, Bulaga measured 6 feet 5 inches tall and 314 pounds, showcasing solid athleticism for his size with a 5.22-second and 26 repetitions on the 225-pound . His performance impressed several teams, including the , , , and , with whom he conducted formal interviews and workouts during the pre-draft process. On April 22, 2010, the selected Bulaga in the first round with the 23rd overall pick, viewing him as excellent value after he unexpectedly fell due to a deep offensive tackle class. He signed his rookie contract on July 30, 2010, a five-year deal worth $14.75 million with $8.76 million guaranteed, including an $880,000 , positioning him to compete immediately for a starting role on the offensive line.

Green Bay Packers

Bulaga was selected by the in the first round (23rd overall) of the and quickly earned a starting role at right tackle as a . He started 12 of 16 games that season, contributing to an offensive line that protected quarterback effectively during a 10-6 regular season and a playoff run culminating in a victory over the , where Bulaga became the youngest starter in the game at 21 years and 322 days old. From 2011 to 2013, Bulaga solidified his position as the Packers' starting right tackle, appearing in 21 regular-season games and earning Second-Team honors in 2011 for his pass protection. However, injuries disrupted his momentum: a fractured hip sidelined him for the final seven games of the 2012 season, including the , and a torn ACL in his left during the 2013 preseason caused him to miss the entire year. Bulaga's tenure from 2014 to 2016 was marked by resilience amid ongoing challenges, including a in the 2014 season opener that required surgery and caused him to miss one game, as well as a torn meniscus in his left during the 2015 preseason that led to a six-week absence. He also dealt with back issues in 2016 but played through them, starting all 16 games that year. Overall, he missed 12 games across this period due to these ailments but signed a five-year, $33.75 million extension in March 2015, making him the highest-paid lineman on the roster at the time. Returning as a full-time starter from 2017 to 2019, Bulaga appeared in 35 regular-season games despite tearing his right ACL in Week 9 of 2017, which ended his season after five starts. He rebounded in 2018 with 14 starts and capped the period with 16 starts in 2019, helping the Packers reach the that year after also appearing in the 2014 . Over his 10 seasons with Green Bay, Bulaga made 111 regular-season starts in 115 games played, contributing to a Packers offensive line that allowed 30 sacks in , one of the lower totals in the league that year, and supported six division titles and seven playoff appearances. In pass protection, he allowed just 41 sacks across more than 4,000 snaps, averaging fewer than five sacks per full season played.

Los Angeles Chargers

On March 17, 2020, Bulaga signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers as an unrestricted free agent, bringing his veteran experience from the Green Bay Packers to anchor the right tackle position. In his first season with the Chargers, Bulaga started all 10 games he appeared in at right tackle, providing stability to the offensive line during rookie quarterback Justin Herbert's inaugural year. He offered solid pass protection, contributing to a unit that supported Herbert's development amid a transitional campaign for the team. Bulaga's presence also aided an improved ground game, as the Chargers averaged 111.5 rushing yards per game. The 2021 season proved challenging for Bulaga, who started the lone game he played—Week 1 against the Washington Football Team—before a back injury sidelined him, leading to his placement on injured reserve in . He underwent core muscle surgery in October but did not return that year, as the Chargers finished with a 9–8 record under head coach . Bulaga's tenure ended when the Chargers released him on March 15, 2022, after two injury-limited seasons, clearing $10.75 million in space; he was praised for his veteran leadership in mentoring a young offensive line.

Later years and retirement

Free agency and injuries

Following his release from the on March 15, 2022, Bulaga remained an unsigned throughout the entire , as lingering effects from prior injuries hampered his availability. These issues stemmed primarily from a series of lower-body ailments accumulated over the previous decade, including a fractured in 2012 that sidelined him for multiple games, a torn ACL in 2013 that caused him to miss the full season, and another ACL tear in 2017 that ended his year after four games. Additional setbacks, such as a torn meniscus in 2015 (missing approximately six weeks), back injuries in 2018 and 2020 (combined for seven missed games), and back and problems in 2021 (limiting him to just one game), contributed to a career total of over 40 games missed between 2013 and 2021. During 2022, Bulaga focused on rehabilitation to address these ongoing , , and back concerns, though no public reports emerged of formal tryouts or signed contracts with teams. The cumulative toll of these injuries, particularly the repeated surgeries and chronic back issues, prompted evaluations of his long-term physical health, influencing his decision to step away from the game. Despite the setbacks that curtailed his prime years—reducing his total starts to 122 over 12 seasons—Bulaga earned a for resilience, having repeatedly returned from major surgeries to anchor offensive lines for two franchises. This toughness was evident in his comebacks after the 2013 and 2017 ACL tears, where he resumed starting roles without long-term performance decline.

Retirement announcement

On November 16, 2023, Bryan Bulaga officially announced his retirement from the , electing to do so as a member of the after 10 seasons with the organization from 2010 to 2019. In a subsequent , he described the decision as a "full circle" moment, emphasizing his strong ties to the team and city. Bulaga expressed profound gratitude to the Packers organization, coaches, teammates, and fans, stating that Green Bay had become like "home and family" during his tenure. At the time of the announcement, he shared no specific plans for entering or roles, instead reflecting on the personal and growth he experienced in Green Bay. Over his 12-season career, Bulaga appeared in 126 games with 122 starts, earned one championship ring as part of the Packers' victory in , received no invitations, and garnered second-team honors from in 2011. Post-retirement, Bulaga has focused on family life—such as spending time with his children—and recovering from chronic injuries, including two ACL tears and a hip fracture sustained during his playing days. As of November 2025, he has appeared in media interviews discussing the ' offensive line challenges.

Personal life

Family

Bulaga married Abigail "Abbie" Mumpower in July 2013 after meeting her while attending the University of Iowa. The couple has two children: a son, Declan, born around 2015, and a daughter, Cameron, born around 2017. The family resided in the Green Bay area during Bulaga's tenure with the Packers, where his wife Abbie participated in community events such as the 2015 Fashions from the Heart fall fashion show benefiting local charities. During Bulaga's time with the from 2020 to 2021, the family relocated to . Abbie provided significant support during his injury recoveries, including after his 2013 ACL tear, managing family responsibilities while he rehabilitated. Following his in 2023, the family returned to the Midwest, prioritizing a private life focused on raising their children away from the public spotlight.

Philanthropy

During his time with the Los Angeles Chargers, Bulaga participated in the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats initiative in 2020, supporting the Therapy Development Institute by wearing custom cleats to raise awareness for research. As a member of the from 2010 to 2019, Bulaga contributed to team community outreach efforts, including assisting with youth football camps organized through the Packers Foundation to promote the sport among children in . Following his retirement in 2023, Bulaga has remained active in Green Bay-area , participating in the Packers Tailgate Tour in 2024 and 2025, which supported local organizations such as Curative Care Network—providing services for children with disabilities—and high school programs. He also joined current and former Packers players at a Wisconsin event in Oshkosh in 2024, where the team donated $250,000 to the organization benefiting youth and adults with intellectual disabilities.

References

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