The Green Bay Packers will once again go into the season with high expectations on defense. For the last few years Packers fans have felt confident in their defense prior to the season starting. That confidence seemed warranted at the time with names like Adrian Amos, Jaire Alexander, Rashan Gary, De’Vondre Campbell (when he was All-Pro), and Kenny Clark leading the charge.
However, year after year the defense underperformed. While multiple things contributed to their downfalls, many believe that former defensive coordinator Joe Barry was the biggest reason. With Jeff Hafley, edge rusher Rashan Gary is expected to make a huge chage.
Green Bay Packers Edge Rusher Rashan Gary Undergoing Massive Change
The perceptions and analyses surrounding Rashan Gary have always been difficult to understand. The Michigan edge rusher had ridiculous god given abilities and was absurdly talented, but he fell to the 12th pick because of his rawness and lack of production.
In the NFL, Gary found himself in a strange situation. Despite being a first-round pick, he wouldn’t start immediately for the Green Bay Packers after signing Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency.
However, five years later, he is looking to prove that he is one of the best pass rushers in football, and Jeff Hafley may have just helped him:
The “hands in the dirt” sentiment has been noticed by many Packers fans. For context, in addition to being able to read the backfield better, standing up makes an edge rusher more agile in playing the pass.
Having “hands in the dirt” gives a pass rusher more immediate power and explosiveness. Allowing Gary to play with his hand on the ground regularly will likely allow him to get after the quarterback at a much higher rate.
Even Without The Sack Numbers Gary Has Been Extremely Effective In The League
Rashan Gary has yet to have a double-digit sack season in the NFL. He reached nine by week 12 last year. However, injuries limited his playing time the remainder of the year and he would finish with just nine.
Rashan Gary has recorded 31.5 sacks in his first five years in the NFL. Compared to Nick Bosa (53.5), Brian Burns (46.0), Josh Allen (45), and Montez Sweat (41.5), his edge production in that department has been significantly lower. However, Peter Bukowski of Locked on Packers highlighted an important stat:
- In 2021, Rashan Gary had 87 pressures, 17 QB hits and 58 hurries via PFF.
- In 2021, Nick Bosa had 88 pressures, 17 QB hits, and 50 hurries via PFF.
- Bosa also played 132 more snaps BUT
- Bosa: 15.5 sacks
- Gary: 9.5 sacks
As long as Gary stays healthy, sacks won’t be hard to come by in 2024.
