It’s not often one of your best defensive weapons can fly under the radar and be considered an underrated asset. Enter Rashan Gary: a player consistently left off “Top 10” lists and excluded from “NFL Elite” conversations. A casual might take a quick look and say well, he has yet to produce a double digit sack season, he’s never seen an All-Pro roster or been selected to the Pro Bowl. But if you pay closer attention, you’ll see a physical specimen who plays with power and precision, a player whose impact is felt more than seen, like that quiet stillness that takes over the air before a storm.
New Kid On The Block
Rashan Gary was the 12th overall selection of the 2019 NFL Draft. As a 6-foot 5-inch 280 pound athletic freak, some might consider what his career has been thus far as bust-worthy. Gary (including playoffs) has played in 80 games over the last 5 seasons, recording 35 sacks, 84 QB hits, and 34 TFLs.
As a first round draft pick, you typically assume immediate impact. However, with Rashan Gary, there was always that aspect of needed development. He had the raw talent and physical ability, but could definitely improve from gains in the technical department of rushing the quarterback. At Michigan, his production did not match his traits and talent.
This continued over his first couple of seasons in the NFL. Gary finished his first 2 seasons with a total of 7 sacks. Not the ideal production coming from a first round selection. However, to be fair, he was the third option off the edge behind the “Smith Bros”. Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith were both brought to Green Bay to bolster the pass rush and they did exactly that. The two combined for 25.5 sacks in 2019, leaving what felt like crumbs in opportunities for the rookie Gary, who was on the field for only 24% of defensive snaps.
Moving On Up
That rookie year may have been exactly what Gary needed. An opportunity to watch and learn from two terrific pass rushers who both had career years. He had a front row seat to what success looked like at the next level. Gary came into his year 2 training camp in excellent physical shape and had clearly spent the time learning the nuances of the Packers’ defensive scheme. Making a consistent impact throughout camp, Gary earned himself an expanded role alongside the Smiths. He nearly doubled his snap share and outperformed Preston Smith who had over 350 more snaps than Rashan.
As the season went on, Gary got better and finished off his sophomore campaign with 7 pressures and 1.5 sacks in the Divisional round playoff game. With more experience and more time to hone his skillset, Rashan Gary was primed for a year 3 breakout.
The Arrival
2021 was the year people started to take notice of Rashan Gary. From the beginning of the ’21 season thru Week 8 of 2022 Gary notched 17.5 sacks over 26 games. He added 43 qb hits and 18 tackles for loss in that period, starting to place himself in the conversations of most disruptive players in the game.
However, this growth and ascension saw an unfortunate setback in the week 9 matchup with Detroit. On the first defensive snap of the 2nd half, Gary suffered a non-contact injury in what appeared to be a harmless change of direction. Pulling up and immediately grabbing his knee, cheeseheads everywhere held their breath. He played 3 more snaps before leaving the field. Rashan Gary had torn his ACL.
Out for the rest of the season, Gary was immediately focused on rehab. Before the injury, he was on pace for his first double digit sack season, having 6 through 8 games. Wanting to pick up exactly where he left off, Rashan’s singular focus for the rest of the year and entire upcoming off-season was rehab and recovery.
Gary started the 2023 season right where he left off. His comeback campaign began with 3.5 sacks through the first three weeks despite playing in only 26% of defensive snaps. “I think I told y’all this before, I knew from the time that it happened that I was gonna come back better than when I left..” said Gary when asked about his return to the field. The Packers clearly agreed and on October 30th, 2023 Rashan Gary announced his four-year, $107 million contract extension.
He would go on to finish the year with 9 total sacks, one shy of that elusive double digit mark.
All-Pro Watch
With a unique blend of brutality and finesse, Rashan has a way of blowing up the pocket and making his presence felt, even if he isn’t putting a stat on a sheet. He plays with a motor that seems to never shut off. He pursues relentlessly, with the speed and fluidity that no 6’5″ 280 pound human should possess. The 2024 season should be one to remember for this Packers defense and Rashan Gary. With new DC Jeff Hafley bringing in a fresh scheme that will allow Gary to play fast, aggressive and fearless, we should see the production match the ability. It certainly feels like a 12+ sack season is loading.
This year, the whispers of potential may well become roars of triumph. Offensive coordinators will lose sleep plotting ways to contain the controlled chaos and quarterbacks will have nightmares of the disruption brought upon their backfields.
As the season unfolds, expect to see number 52 not just in backfields, but in DPOY conversations, All-Pro lineups, and perhaps, just perhaps, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. The NFL has been put on notice: Rashan Gary isn’t just coming; he’s arrived, and he’s hungry for nothing less than defensive dominance.
