Green Bay Packers will play Bryan Bulaga at RT, David Bakhtiari at LT
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (69) blocks during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers were preparing to move Bryan Bulaga to left tackle for the 2013 season after he started on the right side during the first three years of his career, but an ACL tear in August prevented him from ever seeing the field. Since right tackle is his more natural position and David Bakhtiari looked solid as a rookie left tackle last season, it always made the most sense for the Packers to simply move back (or keep, since he never really moved there) Bulaga to right tackle and keep Bakhtiari on the left side.
According to ESPN NFL Nation’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers will do exactly that, as head coach Mike McCarthy told Bulaga that he would play at right tackle next year. This decision was the expected one, and it allows both tackles to play on their more natural side, and familiarity with the left or right side of the line is indeed a key thing for an offensive lineman. Chris Roth of ABC Green Bay was also informed by McCarthy of the move earlier today while at the owner’s meetings in Orlando, Florida.
The Packers should have a good offensive tackle duo for Aaron Rodgers next season, but it will be interesting to see how things shake out on the interior, specifically at center. Evan Dietrich-Smith had a nice 2013 season, but he was rewarded in the offseason after signing a deal to start with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who traded Jeremy Zuttah to the C-needy Baltimore Ravens in a corresponding move. Josh Sitton is an elite guard and T.J. Lang is locked in as a starter, but we’ll see if last year’s rookie starter at right tackle Don Barclay will start at center next year as EDS’s replacement.