The Green Bay Packers are entering the 2021 NFL season with uncertainty surrounding superstar quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. No one knows whether he will play in Week 1 or not, but thankfully, there are quite a few positives happening as well. Among those positives are young defensive players Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage Jr. looking better than ever.
Both Savage and Gary are expected to step up their game this season. They have been recognized nationally by Pro Football Focus as two of the top five potential breakout candidates in the NFL for the upcoming season.
Last season with the Packers, both players showed improvement and were big parts of the defensive scheme. This year, under new defensive coordinator Joe Barry, they are expected to play an even bigger role.
During the 2020 season, Gary ended up recording 34 total tackles to go along with five sacks, one fumble recovery, and a defended pass. He still didn’t have a huge role for the Packers, as he is playing behind both Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. However, it was obvious that he had worked on his game and had improved.
On the other hand, Savage took a big step forward, racking up 75 total tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, four interceptions, and 12 defended passes. He forms a lethal safety duo with Adrian Amos. In fact, that duo is among the best in the NFL as well.
It will be interesting to see how both players develop this season. The Packers have been just one win away from the Super Bowl in back-to-back seasons. Can they get over the hump this year? Most of that will be decided by how the roster develops and whether or not Rodgers comes back to play.
Expect to see both Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage Jr. come through with good years in 2021 for the Packers. They have major potential and we should see them reach even more of that this year.
