Tag: Rashan Gary

Even with Green Bay Packers star edge rusher Rashan Gary on a snap count during the team’s Week 1 matchup with the Chicago Bears, Gary was still able to dominate and leave his mark on the game.

Gary was on the field during only obvious passing situations, specifically third-and-longs where he could simply go and get after Justin Fields—which is exactly what he did. According to PFF, Gary played only 12 total snaps, 10 of which came on pass rush downs, but yet he was able to generate a whopping five pressures, the second-highest total on the team behind only Devonte Wyatt.

Obviously, this is a very small sample size and isn’t sustainable, but for some perspective, Gary’s win rate as a pass rusher of 44.4 percent was the best among edge rushers in Week 1. Also, despite playing only 12 total snaps, his five pressures were the fourth-highest total by any edge defender.

Gary hit Fields in the arm and forced an incompletion on one pass-rush. He also had a negated sack after the Packers were penalized for too many men on the field.

It wasn’t only Gary who was able to get after the quarterback, but basically the entire Packers’ defensive front did as well. PFF credited the Packers with 36 pressures against the Bears—a massive amount. Fields was under pressure on over 50 percent of his total dropbacks. As already mentioned, Wyatt led the team in pressures with six, while Lukas Van Ness also had five, along with Colby Wooden and Kenny Clark each having four.

Overall, the depth of the defensive front, both at edge rusher and along the interior, is much deeper than it was last season, not to mention that this group is playing a lot faster as well and using more post-snap movement, specifically stunts, to help drum up some pressure.

Without Gary for the second half of last season, as was evident, his presence was sorely missed. The Packers struggled to generate steady pressure on the quarterback during the second-half of the year, ranking 22nd in total pressures created in 2022. They also continued to struggle against the run – an area where Gary was quite stout – ranking as one of the worst in both yards per carry allowed and DVOA.

Along with constantly getting after Fields on Sunday, the Packers ate their vegetables, so to speak, on early downs by holding up very well against the run, limiting the Chicago running backs to only 3.3 yards per carry. This then put the Bears offense in passing situations, allowing Gary and the rest of the defensive front to pin their ears back.

Gary was activated off the PUP list a few weeks ago and has been back at practice in a limited capacity since then. It is unknown at this time how long he will be on a pitch count, but as the Packers frequently do with injuries, my guess is that they will take it day-to-day and go from there.

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary is increasingly likely to be ready for Week 1, but coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the team’s plan is to put Gary — who is coming off a torn ACL — on a “pitch count” in terms of snaps to open 2023.

“Yeah, we’ll put him on a pitch count. We’re going to be smart with him, knowing this is a marathon. Working with our athletic training staff, just in terms of how much volume we want to give him,” LaFleur said.

The Packers open the season on Sunday, Sept. 10 against the Chicago Bears.

LaFleur said the Packers have to “pull him back” at times because Gary often goes 100 miles per hour in every football-related activity. The 2019 first-round pick tore his ACL in early November of last year and only recently started practicing in 11-on-11 periods after coming off the PUP list.

While Gary works his way back to 100 percent, the Packers can lean on impressive depth at edge rusher. Preston Smith provides a veteran presence in the starting lineup, while Kingsley Enagbare’s development in Year 2, Justin Hollins’ do-it-all skill set and the arrival of rookies Lukas Van Ness and Brenton Cox Jr. give the Packers enviable depth at a premium position and the ability to go slow with Gary until he’s ready to be a full-time starter.

Over his first nine games last year, Gary delivered 38 pressures and 25 stops, per PFF.

It’s certainly possible Enagbare will be a de facto starter for the Packers at edge rusher until Gary is back to 100 percent. Packers Wire picked Enagbare as one of the stars of the preseason after he delivered a pair of sacks and a team-high three special teams tackles. As a rookie last season, Enabagre created 25 pressures and 18 stops over 452 snaps.

After being activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list two weeks ago, Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary was back participating in team drills on Tuesday. However, when it comes to his availability for Week 1, Gary is still taking things day to day.

“We’ll see,” said Gary after Tuesday’s practice. “Right now just taking it day by day.”

Despite it being Gary’s first time back on the practice field in this capacity since suffering an ACL injury in Week 9 of last season, his presence was felt almost immediately. In one-on-ones, Gary was matched up with Zach Tom, and after Tom initially handled Gary’s power rush well, he countered with a move inside to get to the quarterback. Then, during the team period, Gary had a pressure on Jordan Love and a would-be sack as well.

“It’s big,” said Gary about being back on the field in team drills. “Just getting back to playing real football and moving without thinking. Just being back out there with the defense, feeling that energy, flying around with my guys. There’s no other feeling like it, and I’m happy to be back.”

Prior to his injury in 2022, Gary was one of the more disruptive edge rushers in football. His 38 pressures through Week 9 were the fifth-most among edge rushers, according to PFF, and he also ranked fifth in PFF’s run-stop rate metric as well. Without Gary, this unit struggled to get after the quarterback with any consistency. As a defense, Green Bay ranked 22nd in total pressures generated last season, and the edge rusher group as a whole has to hold up better against the run in 2023.

This training camp, however, even in Gary’s absence, the depth of the edge rusher position looks much improved over this time a year ago. This position group was downright dominant against New England in joint practices last week, with players from top to bottom on the depth chart making plays in the backfield and in the run game.

JJ Enagbare appears to have taken a big step forward in his second season. Rookie first-round pick Lukas Van Ness has flashed with his speed and power, while Justin Hollins continues to provide a steady presence against both the run and the pass in that rotation. Undrafted rookies Keshawn Banks and Brenton Cox have made some more noise as well as of late.

“Just the aggressive effort that we’re playing with,” said Gary about the collective effort of the edge rusher group. “All 11 getting to the ball, and us being front forward, big guys running to the ball and making sure we playing with maximum effort. And that’s one thing you see, being physical up front, everybody attacking, everybody being solid against the run, and it’s about being consistent.”

Gary said that he felt good after Tuesday’s practice, but there are still “a couple more boxes to check off” and conversations to be had with Matt LaFleur and the training staff before he is fully cleared to play Week 1. But with that said, Tuesday was a big step in the right direction.

“Just going out there and being consistent,” said Gary on what he wants to accomplish right now. “Feeling what I need to feel. That’s seeing plays and getting into offense again, just getting back moving football-wise.”

Another milestone for Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary will arrive Monday. According to coach Matt LaFleur, the plan is for Gary — who tore his ACL in early November of last year — to return to 11-on-11 team periods during Monday’s practice.

Gary’s participation during team periods will be his first since the season-ending injury.

The Packers activated Gary off the physically unable to participate list on Aug. 7. After two weeks of individual drills, Gary will take the next step and be on the field for 11-on-11 periods.

Chances are growing for Gary to be on the field when the Packers open the regular season in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 10. Almost three weeks separate Monday and the season opener, giving Gary plenty of time to get reacclimated to 11-on-11 football.

Gary had 6.0 sacks and 12 quarterback hits in nine games before his injury last season.

Per LaFleur, cornerback Eric Stokes is still not ready to come off the PUP list.

Rashan Gary was activated off the PUP list on Monday and was back on the practice field for the Green Bay Packers, working through individual drills. With Gary back, the big question becomes: when will his contract be extended?

As a former first-round pick, the Packers picked up Gary’s fifth-year option for the 2023 season back in the spring of 2022. Essentially, this is like a one-year deal, and Gary’s salary for this season was predetermined based on the position he plays and hitting certain playing time and production benchmarks.

Gary’s salary for 2023 is $10.89 million, and because it’s only a one-year contract, that entire figure counts toward this year’s salary cap, accounting for the third-highest cap hit on this Packers team, behind only David Bakhtiari and Kenny Clark.

Prior to his injury last season, Gary was one of the most productive edge rushers in football. Through nine games, Gary’s 38 pressures were tied for the fifth-most. He also ranked third in pass-rush win rate and fifth in PFF’s run-stop rate metrics.

For some context around what an extension for Gary could look like, Pittsburgh’s TJ Watt is currently the NFL’s highest-paid edge rusher, earning just over $28 million on average annually, according to Over the Cap. Khalil Mack ranks fifth, earning $23.5 million per year, and Cam Jordan 10th at $17.5 million annually. Gary’s next contract likely puts him in the top five among edge rushers.

Another name to watch is Brian Burns with the Carolina Panthers. Burns was drafted 16th overall in 2019 — the same year as Gary – and is extension eligible. Last season, Burns ranked ninth in total pressures and eighth in sacks. If Burns receives his extension before Gary does, that will likely impact what Gary’s contract looks like.

Although an extension would infuse new money into Gary’s deal, it would also add more years, which would actually lower his cap hit for the 2023 season because a large portion of those dollars can be pushed to future contract years. According to Ken Ingalls, who independently tracks the Packers’ salary cap situation, an extension prior to the regular season would save the Packers $3.025 million in cap space this season, and it’s important to note that any cap space that goes unused does rollover to the following offseason.

As far as when this extension has to be completed by, there really is no deadline other than free agency next March–although it won’t get to that point. As reference points, Clark was extended in mid-August 2020. Bakhtiari received his in November 2020, and Elgton Jenkins in December 2022.

Perhaps step one was for Gary to get back onto the practice field, and I’m sure conversations have been taking place behind the scenes. But the question isn’t if an extension will happen, but rather when and how much will Gary earn?