This Date In Transactions History: Marc Bulger

With the Rams prepared to take Sam Bradford with the first-overall pick in the 2010 draft, the organization decided to release long-time quarterback Marc Bulger. Eight years ago today, the Pro Bowler ended up finding his next home. On June 23, 2010, Bulger signed a one-year, $3.8MM deal with the Ravens (with the potential to earn up to $5.8MM thanks to incentives).

Bulger, a 2000 sixth-round pick out of West Virginia, bounced around the NFL during his rookie season, spending time with the Saints and Falcons. He eventually landed on the Rams practice squad, although he was inactive for his entire rookie campaign. He got his first chance to start during the 2002 season following injuries to Kurt Warner and Jamie Martin. Bulger ended up leading the team to a 6-0 record to wrap up the year, and he ultimately earned the full-time starting gig in 2003.

Bulger would go on to earn a pair of Pro Bowl nods during his time with the Rams, including a 2006 campaign when he completed 62.9-percent of his passes for 4,301 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. The team ended up signing the quarterback to a six-year, $62.5MM extension following that standout campaign, but Bulger’s product dropped soon after. Between 2007 and 2008, Bulger threw more interceptions than touchdowns, and he missed half of the 2009 season due to injury.

With the Rams armed with the first-overall pick heading into the 2010 draft, they released Bulger early in the offseason. While some sources claim that the quarterback requested the release, there was plenty of incentive for the organization. The team had already signed A.J. Feeley to be Bradford’s backup, and releasing Bulger saved the team $8.5MM.

Then, eight years ago today, Bulger ended up catching on with the Ravens. While Baltimore was paying the veteran modest money to back-up a third-year Joe Flacco, the quarterback didn’t end up seeing the field during the 2010 campaign. While teams expressed interest in him during the following offseason, Bulger ultimately decided to hang up his cleats.

It was an unceremonious ending to a pretty underrated career. Bulger currently sits second on the Rams’ list of all-time passing yard leaders, and he’s third in touchdowns. While his tenure in Baltimore was forgettable, those in St. Louis will likely remember Bulger’s contribution for years to come.