Green Bay defensive end Rashan Gary had a team-high 7.5 sacks in 2024 and made his first Pro Bowl.
The Green Bay Packers went 11-6 last season, sweeping the NFC West and the AFC South along the way.
Overall, though, no one in the building was happy.
The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
Afterwards, general manager Brian Gutekunst turned up the heat on everybody in the building.
“We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,” Gutekunst said. “I think it’s time we started competing for championships.”
Those are fair expectations.
The Packers return 20 of 22 starters, and appear to have upgraded the roster via free agency and the draft. With several third and fourth year players trending upward, Green Bay should be poised to make a move.
“I think they’re ready,” Gutekunst said.
Now, it’s time for the Packers to prove their G.M. right.
Green Bay’s first training camp practice is July 23. Between now and then I will count down the ‘30 Most Important Packers’ heading into the 2025 campaign.
At No. 5 is defensive end Rashan Gary.
No. 5
Rashan Gary, DE
Last season
Gary was named to his first career Pro Bowl, but was far from a dominant player.
Gary had 7.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, 47 total tackles and a forced fumble while starting all 17 games. Gary also led the Packers with 15 quarterback hits.
Gary was extremely strong against the run, helping the Packers finish seventh in rushing defense, allowing just 99.4 yards per game. According to Pro Football Focus, though, Gary ranked 31st among edge rushers with 47 pressures after finishing 20th in 2023 with 60 pressures.
Career to date
Gary, the 12th overall pick in the 2019 draft, had a rough rookie season with just two sacks and three quarterback hits.
Gary’s career began taking off in 2020 when he ranked second on the team with 6.5 sacks and second in pressures with 30, despite playing just 44.4% of the snaps that year.
Gary then exploded from the start of 2021 through the first half of 2022, notching an eye-popping 17.5 sacks in a 26-game stretch. Gary had 43 quarterback hits and 18 tackles for loss in that time and was emerging as one of the top edge rushers in football.
From Weeks 1-9 of the 2022 campaign, Gary ranked in the top 10 among NFL linebackers in quarterback hits (12, tied for sixth), sacks (six, tied for eighth) and pressures (27, ninth). That followed a tremendous 2021 season in which Gary ranked seventh among linebackers in quarterback hits (28) and second in pressures (81).
Then, the ultimate nightmare hit when Gary tore his right ACL against Detroit in Week 9 of the 2022 campaign.
“One thing I told myself is throughout this process I’m taking it day by day,” Gary said during his rehab. “I’m just making sure I’m squeezing the towel as much as I can every day, making sure I’m not leaving one inch of doubt of if I pushed it to my all.”
Gary made an impressive recovery, though, and was back for the season opener in 2023. Then he finished the 2023 campaign with 9.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Outlook
The Packers signed Gary to a four-year, $96 million contract extension on Oct. 30. That currently makes him the ninth-highest paid edge rusher in football, which is probably a proper landing spot.
Gary is a tireless worker who plays with great passion and has put up respectable numbers. The Packers keep waiting for Gary to have a breakout season, though, one in which he ranks among the NFL’s sack leaders.
Gary, who’s entering his seventh season in Green Bay, is still just 27. He’s in the prime of his career and more than two years removed from his ACL tear. He’ll also be playing in Green Bay’s 4-3 defense for a second year.
If Gary is ever going to have a monster season, the time is now.
The Packers desperately need that kind of year from Gary after their front four was inconsistent last season and they ignored pass rusher in the draft until the fourth round.
They Said It …
“He’s disruptive in the run game, he sets edges. I love the guy. He works really hard, and I think he’s embraced his role.” — Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley on Gary
“He’s earned everything. I’m a big believer in people that approach it the right way, that are talented that come to work with mindset and determination that he possesses. He’s a tone setter.” —Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Gary
“The sky’s the limit, man. From Pro Bowl to being an NFL Top 100 player to now shooting to be an All Pro. That’s the next step for me.” — Gary on what’s next for him
THE TOP 30
• No. 29 — WR Dontayvion Wicks
