Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary is slated to be a free agent in the offseason, but the Packers still have an opportunity to extend him before he hits the open market.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler thinks that Green Bay could ultimately lock up Gary in the coming months.
“The Packers typically try to lock up key players late in their contract years, so it wouldn’t surprise if the Packers make an aggressive play to secure Gary in November or December,” Fowler wrote.
Gary is still on the mend from the torn ACL he suffered midway through last season. He has participated in all four games this season but has not been an every-down player just yet. Even in a restricted role, he has still been a force, logging nine tackles and 4.5 sacks thus far.
The 25-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Michigan, was selected by Green Bay with the 12th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Gary’s impact during his rookie campaign was limited, as he totaled 21 tackles and two sacks. The following year, he showed significant progression, registering 35 tackles, five sacks and a fumble recovery.
The Plainfield, N.J. native then broke out in 2021, racking up 47 tackles, 9.5 sacks, a couple of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in what was his most productive campaign to date.
Rashan Gary was on pace to have an even better season last year, but the aforementioned knee injury ended his campaign after nine games. During that time, he posted 32 tackles, six sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The Packers have gotten off to a 2-3 start this season, most recently falling to the Las Vegas Raiders in a brutal matchup last Monday. Hopefully, Green Bay can get things turned around soon.
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