The Green Bay Packers made a decision everyone was expecting when Rashan Gary opened up training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Still rehabbing from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 9 last season against the Detroit Lions, no one expected Rashan Gary to be on the field Day 1 ready to go.
While the Packers are assuredly going to take their time and not rush things with Rashan Gary, it certainly seems like he is raring to get back on the field with his teammates. Despite not taking part in practice, his presence has been felt.
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Rashan Gary was part of the defensive huddle at practice on Friday, dapping up his teammates while they took part in 11-on-11 drills. He wasn’t participating in the drills, but in Schneidman’s estimation, he wants to get back out there.
2023 is a big season for Rashan Gary as he is playing out the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Prior to going down with the injury last season, he was cementing his status among the best young pass rushers in the NFL, ranking in the top 10 of multiple stats.
If he can regain that form, he will set himself up for a nice payday in 2024 when he becomes a free agent. But, a contract extension between both parties before the 2023 season gets underway certainly isn’t out of the question.
There could be some motivation on Rashan Gary’s part to get a deal done now for some long-term security. Everyone responds to devastating injuries differently and if there is any doubt in his mind he won’t be the same, explosive player, accepting a long-term deal now would make sense.
From the Packers’ perspective, agreeing to a deal now would save them a lot of money in the long run. The contracts for pass rushers are only getting more expensive and if Gary does return to form, his price tag is only going to go up.
