Rashan Gary was heading in the right direction for a breakout season earlier than tearing his ACL. The Inexperienced Bay Packers‘ star edge rusher had been dominant within the first half of the 2022 common season.
As we speak, we proceed our Inexperienced Bay Packers 2022 season evaluation, with the concentrate on one of many workforce’s most necessary gamers.
We’ll additionally look forward to what’s subsequent for Gary.
2022 season evaluation
After dominating all through coaching camp, expectations have been sky-high for Rashan Gary, who had improved every season within the NFL.
And the previous first-round choose was properly on his solution to an enormous season. Gary had made six sacks and 11 quarterback hits within the opening eight video games of the yr. That put him on monitor for career-best numbers.
Nonetheless, Gary suffered a torn ACL within the Packers’ loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 9.
Regardless of enjoying in lower than 9 full video games, Gary nonetheless ranked second on the workforce in sacks on the finish of the season, and was solely 2.5 sacks behind Preston Smith.
It highlights Gary’s significance to Inexperienced Bay’s protection, and in addition how a lot the workforce missed him within the second half of the season.
What’s subsequent?
An important factor for Gary proper now’s his restoration from damage. It’s unclear whether or not he will probably be prepared for coaching camp or the season opener, or whether or not Gary might should miss a while early in 2023.
When he does return, he’ll once more play an important position on protection for the Packers.
Gary will enter a contract yr in 2023 because the Packers picked up his fifth-year choice final offseason. He’ll grow to be a free agent in 2024.
The Packers should re-sign him. It gained’t be stunning in the event that they work out a long-term deal sooner or later throughout the 2023 season.
Gary remains to be solely 25 years previous and is likely one of the league’s high cross rushers. The Packers must re-sign him.