Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary. Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Packers' rising pass rusher ranked as one of NFL's best

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated May 27, 2025 12:25 PM ET

Despite being relatively thin on the edge, entering this offseason, the Green Bay Packers didn’t expend significant time or resources in upgrading at the position this offseason, and might be for good reason.

Only seven teams registered more sacks than the Packers’ 45 last season, a testament to the quick turnaround and chaos created by first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system.

Green Bay might also have one of the league’s ascending talents at the position primed to make another leap this fall.

Rashan Gary named one of NFL's top pass rushers

Gary, 27, has come into his own over the past four seasons. His 32 sacks could be precisely what has given general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers' front office confidence that there wasn’t a splashy signing or top draft pick needed at the position.

According to Pro Football Focus’ Ryan Smith, Gary enters 2025 as the No. 19-ranked edge rusher in the sport, just ahead of incoming rookie Abdul Carter.

“Gary’s PFF overall grade has declined in each of the past three seasons,” Smith writes for PFF. “After peaking at 89.8 in 2021, but he remains one of the NFL’s most complete edge defenders, and he’s still just 27 years old. The former Michigan Wolverine has also proven durable, not missing a game over the past two seasons.”

All told, last season, Gary added 47 pressures to his 7.5 sacks, underscoring the kind of chaos he’s capable of creating in the backfield.

In a division that is loaded with offensive playmakers and ascending quarterbacks, a dynamic pass rush could hold the key to Green Bay taking the next step this season, and Gary figures to play a starring role in those plans.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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