Rashan Gary and the Green Bay Packers look to get back on track in 2023. After a subpar 2022 season, which saw them eliminated from playoff contention in the final week of the season, the Packers have their sights set on a much improved 2023 season.
The defense, as a whole, was a disappointment in 2022. While they performed much better during the second half of the season, they ended the year 17th in points allowed per game. A far cry from the top five projection many anticipated heading into the season. Rashan Gary missing nearly half the season due to an ACL tear didn’t help the situation. As Gary looks to be back to full health in 2023, some rather massive news was announced recently.
Rashan Gary Projected To Be One Of the Highest Paid 2024 Free Agents
According to Freddie Boston of Fansided:
A year from now, Green Bay Packers star pass rusher Rashan Gary is set to become a free agent. The Packers picked up Gary’s fifth-year option last offseason, ensuring he remains under contract through 2023.
If a new deal isn’t agreed between the Packers and Gary before next March, he will become a free agent at 26 years old, hitting the best years of his career.
Gary plays at a premium position, and it’s not easy to find players as talented as him. The Athletic ranked the top upcoming free agents in 2024, and it’s no surprise to see Gary at No. 10 on the list.
He ranks third among edge rushers behind Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers and Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers.
The Packers typically work out contract extensions with their star players well in advance of free agency. They signed Elgton Jenkins to a new four-year deal last December, a few months before his contract expired.
As Gary will be in 2023, Jenkins was in his first season back from a torn ACL.
When healthy, Gary is one of the best pass rushers in football. He was on pace for 11 sacks and 23 quarterback hits last season before suffering the injury.
Gary will likely earn a deal averaging above $20 million per year, but he’s worth it. Assuming the Packers trade Aaron Rodgers this offseason, Rodgers’ contract would be off the books in 2024, creating more space for a Gary extension.
The Green Bay Packers have a history of paying their own players rather than forking out big money in free-agency. Jaire Alexander, Kenny Clark, David Bakhtiari, and even Davante Adams (even though he chose to be traded) are all players that the Green Bay Packers either did retain on mega deals, or attempted to. It is highly unlikely the Packers let Rashan Gary walk into free agency without offering him a similar type of contract. When Green Bay Packers fans heard this news, they took to social media:
Everyone is rightfully fixated on a contract extension for Rashan Gary- but I think there's a real chance we could see an AJ Dillon extension this off-season too.
Seems primed for a 2nd contract in GB and I don't believe it would be cost prohibitive.
— Jon Delray- Lombardi Time Brews (@jondelray) April 10, 2023
Rashan Gary extension fixes that
— Padawan (@Obi_Uno_Kenobi) March 19, 2023
Where is the Rashan Gary extension?!?!?!?
— YUNG NET SAVE PE$O (@Chauky_NYC) March 13, 2023
Long term
— DA VALLEY (@StunnafoQ) February 20, 2023
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