Latest news with #RashanGary
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers Urged To Sign Former No. 1 Pick To Fix Pass Rush Problems
General Manager Brian Gutekunst strengthened the Green Bay Packers' pass rush during the NFL Draft by selecting edge rushers Barryn Sorrell and Collin Olliver in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively. Additionally, he bolstered the interior with defensive tackle Warren Brinson in the sixth round. These are promising additions, but Super Bowl LIX highlighted one critical truth that should keep all options open for the Packers until the start of the 2025 regular season: You can never have too many pass rushers. Advertisement Green Bay boasts a diverse pass rush group, but the unit failed to meet expectations in 2024. They finished the season ranked 27th in pass rush win rate, with their pressure leader, Rashan Gary (47 pressures), ranking just 31st in total pressures among all edge rushers. While it's undeniable that the Packers have talent up front, their efforts to improve the front seven should not end with the Draft. Fortunately, an 11-year veteran has just become available on the market. Jadeveon Clowney pressures Bears quarterback Justin Fields during their 2021 matchup.© PHIL MASTURZO via Imagn Content Services, LLC On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers released Jadeveon Clowney following his one-season stint with the team in 2024. Clowney, a former first overall pick in 2014, has been named to the Pro Bowl three times and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2016. Last year, Clowney recorded 44 pressures and 5.5 sacks, figures that would have made him the second-most productive pass rusher on the Packers' roster. Advertisement "You're always looking. With pass rushers, you can never have enough," Brian Gutekunst said after the 2024 season. "I thought there were times this year we did that, we were able to rush with four men. Every team in the league, that's how you'd prefer to do it, rush with four and affect the quarterback with four. There were periods of times where we didn't do that well enough, everybody understands that. That affects your football team." Clowney has played at least 12 games in five of the last six seasons and has been a productive run defender. However, if the Packers were to sign him, it could signal that a player like Kingsley Enagbare may be on the move. Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Collin Olliver, and Barryn Sorrell are all locks to make the final roster, while Brenton Cox Jr. should also have a chance. While it's true that you can never have too many pass rushers, General Manager Brian Gutekunst must ensure the roster remains well-balanced across all phases. Related: Packers 1,700-Yard Receiver Rumored To Be Steelers Trade Target
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers Pro Bowler Rashan Gary set for Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards show
The Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards, presented by Piggly Wiggly, is excited to announce Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary as its celebrity guest speaker. The live show will be held Friday, June 20, at 7 p.m. at the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay. The event is produced with the support of Cellcom and Prevea Health. Rashan Gary (52) of the Green Bay Packers will be the celebrity guest at the Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards on June 20 in Green Bay. Gary is from Plainfield, New Jersey. He was a top-ranked recruit in college football's class of 2016 and recognized as the USA TODAY defensive player of the year after a remarkable senior season in which he recorded 13.5 sacks and 29 tackles for loss. Advertisement In 2016, Gary committed to the University of Michigan. Over three seasons with the Wolverines, he played in 34 games, registering 136 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He earned first-team all-Big Ten honors in both 2017 and 2018. The Green Bay Packers selected Gary in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 12th overall pick. Gary's role and production has steadily increased since. By the 2021 season, he became a full-time starter and had a breakout year with a career-high 9.5 sacks. The Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards, Presented by Piggly Wiggly, are part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards program. In 2024, Gary earned his first Pro Bowl selection. His NFL career statistics include 226 total tackles, 39 sacks, six forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. In October 2023, the Packers signed Gary to a four-year contract extension. Advertisement Beyond the field, Gary is also a businessman and entrepreneur. He founded his own sports agency, RG Sports, and has been involved in philanthropic endeavors, particularly raising awareness for dyslexia, a condition he was diagnosed with in middle school. He often uses his platform to advocate for dyslexia awareness and support. More: Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards reveals winter athlete nominees More: Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards reveals fall athlete nominees Nominated athletes who RSVP for the event will receive a free ticket thanks to our sponsors. Additional tickets also are free this year courtesy of Prevea Health. Tickets can be obtained here. Advertisement The Northeast Wisconsin High School Sports Awards is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. The show will recognize prep athletes, coaches and teams in the Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Manitowoc, Marshfield, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids markets for their achievements during the 2024-25 school year. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Packers' Rashan Gary set for Northeast Wisconsin sports awards show
Forbes
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Packers Draft By Position: Green Bay Could Take A Defensive End Early
The NFL Draft begins April 24 and the Green Bay Packers have the 23rd pick in the first round. Between now and then, I'll examine Green Bay's current situation at each position and how likely the Packers are to take a player for that group. Today, we'll look at the defensive ends. By now, you know what seventh-year man Rashan Gary is. A try-hard player who's a bridesmaid far more than the bride. Gary traditionally ranks among the league-leaders in pressures. In 90 career games, though, he has just 39.0 sacks — one sack every 2.31 contests. The bottom line is he just doesn't finish enough. Lukas Van Ness, the Packers' first round pick in 2023, had just three sacks, six quarterback hits and six tackles for loss last year. He now faces a critical Year 3. Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox add depth. The Packers need a difference-maker here, and there will be some intriguing — but risky — options at pick No. 23 to add to their mediocre group. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on Lukas Van Ness: 'We talked a little bit about we need to affect the quarterback more in our front four, with just four players, and Lukas is a big part of that. He does everything he can. He's everything you want in a professional as far as his work ethic and what he puts into it, and I expect him to take a big jump this year.' Van Ness on Green Bay's defensive ends: 'I think we have a great group. Whether we take two guys (or) we take nobody, I think we're all going to come to work every day, we're going to compete against each other for our spots, and we're going to work hard. I love the guys we have in our room. I think we're all hard-working, we love the game of football, and I'm excited to see what we can do together.' Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley: 'I mean I want all these guys to have production. I mean, that's like, the two things that I told you guys about, the only thing, like tackles for loss, the numbers, they are what they are. Sacks, the numbers, truthfully, they are what they are. You want to look at yards, you want to look at this, like all that's great, I just want to win and I want each player to have as much success as they can because I want to help them and their futures and I want them to have success. Like those are the things that are important to me.' Penn State's Abdul Carter and Georgia's Jalon Walker are two edge rushers that will be long gone by the time Green Bay selects. Here are five players, though, the Packers could take in Rounds 1 or 2. • Mykel Williams, Georgia (6-5, 267) — Strong, long-armed (34' 3/8') player who's an ideal fit in Green Bay's 4-3 scheme. Production at Georgia (67 tackles, 14 sacks in three years) doesn't match his physical gifts. Played through ankle injury in 2024. Explosive athlete with terrific length and big hands (10 ¼'). Projection: Round 1 • Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (6-5, 270) — Classic boom or bust pick. Had a fantastic Combine where he shined in the 40-yard dash (4.58), posted a 40-inch vertical and led the group with a broad jump of 10 feet, 11 inches. Production doesn't match physical gifts, though, as he had just 4.5 sacks in three seasons with the Aggies. Can be disruptive in both phases, but hasn't come close to putting it all together. Projection: Round 1 • Mike Green, Marshall (6-3, 248) — Had a breakout 2024 campaign when he led the nation with 17 sacks. Also led the FBS with 22.5 tackles for loss. The problem is his first three seasons were completely non-descript. His 28 reps on the bench press were No. 1 among the group. Has had two allegations of sexual assault against him, denying both. Dismissed from the team at Virginia after playing his first two seasons for the Cavaliers. Might be a tough fit in Green Bay's 4-3. Projection: Rounds 1-2. • James Pearce, Tennessee (6-5, 248) — Explosive player who ran a blazing 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Had 17.5 sacks over the last two seasons, including 10.0 in 2023. Many questions about his character. Best fit might be in a 3-4. Probably not heavy enough to play the run in a 4-3 scheme. Projection: Round 1-2 • Donovan Ezeiruaka, Boston College (6-2 ½, 248) — Played for current Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley in college. Had a whopping 16.5 sacks last season. Would have to get bigger to play in Green Bay's 4-3 scheme. Impressive short shuttle time (4.19) at the NFL Combine, which was No. 1 among all edge rushers. Projection: Round 2. Part 1 — Quarterbacks Part 2 — Wide Receivers Part 3 — Running backs Part 4 — Tight ends Part 5 — Offensive line
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rashan Gary's contract proves he needs a bounce-back season to remain a Packer in 2026
Rashan Gary's contract proves he needs a bounce-back season to remain a Packer in 2026 As primarily a draft and development program, the Green Bay Packers are always ready to reward their success stories with long-term contracts, but at times the recipients of those deals can fail to live up to it, whether that is due to injury or their production slowing down as they approach 30. This can lead to difficult decisions once there is cap space to be saved by getting out of certain contracts that are attached to players who have been an important part of the team in previous years. Rashan Gary is a player whose status on the roster could be uncertain after the 2025 season, depending on how this year plays out. In 2026, Gary will be entering his age 29 season, and the Packers can save almost $11 million with a pre-June 1st release, or $19.5 million with a post-June 1st release. He is clearly an important player for Green Bay as their best pass rusher, but had a relatively quiet 2024 season. His PFF pass-rush grade has declined in each of the last three seasons, with an ACL tear playing no small part. He was in the middle of a career year when he suffered the injury, ranking 11th in the NFL in pass rush win rate in 2022. He fell to 21st in the league in 2023 and then plummeted to 48th last year, his lowest rank since his rookie year. It is worth noting he has become a much more solid run defender since defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley took over, which matters. He had career highs in run stops (33) and tackles (31) last season, and his lowest missed tackle percentage (8.7%) of the last three seasons. He could well have a resurgent season in his second year in Hafley's system. Having a consistent disruptor across from him would also help. Gary's peak seasons from a pass rush win rate perspective were 2021 and 2022. In 2021, he had the benefit of Preston Smith and Whitney Mercilus also ranking in the top 25 for win rate, while in 2022, Kingsley Enagbare ranked 45th. The production from Gary's top running mate in 2023 and 2024? Smith at 67 and Lukas Van Ness at 78. Whether or not this improves in 2025 is dependent on the development of Van Ness in his third year. The bottom line is that Gary was PFF's 28th overall graded EDGE defender in 2024, and at present is set to have the seventh-highest cap hit among pass rushers in 2026. That is not sustainable. Gary is still young enough that with a strong season, he could earn a third contract in Green Bay, which they are often reluctant to hand out. But if he repeats last season's production, or even fails to match it, this could be his final year with the Packers. At this point it feels unlikely he plays on his slated salary of $28 million in 2026. If he plays well this year, Green Bay could act quickly and extend his contract a year early, lowering his cap hit for 2026. If he underwhelms this season, he probably will not be on the team in 2026 to earn that salary.
New York Times
28-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Why Packers' Edgerrin Cooper can be one of NFL's top LBs: ‘He's got superstar potential'
INDIANAPOLIS — The Packers carry several questions on defense into this offseason. Will Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark bounce back from underwhelming seasons? Will the pass rush be more consistent? Is Lukas Van Ness a bust? Is Keisean Nixon good enough to handle No. 1 cornerback duties if the Packers move on from Jaire Alexander? Advertisement All carry somewhat of a negative connotation, but not all is lost on Jeff Hafley's unit as he enters his second season as defensive coordinator. Far from it, in fact, after a resoundingly successful season that saw Hafley earn a head-coaching interview with the Jets. Along with safety Xavier McKinney, who comes off earning first-team All-Pro honors in his first season with the Packers, the player who provides the most reason for optimism on that side of the ball is one who's played less than a season's worth of games in his career. 'I think he's got superstar potential,' head coach Matt LaFleur said of linebacker Edgerrin Cooper shortly after the season ended. 'I really do, as long as he continues to work, which I know he will … I think it was a huge learning curve coming from Texas A&M to here and you saw the more he played, the better he got and the more consistent he got. It's gonna be a great offseason for him. I think he's planning on staying in town and hopefully we can get him bigger, stronger, faster.' GO DEEPER Packers GM Brian Gutekunst doesn't rule out trading first-round pick for an edge rusher The Packers drafted Cooper in the second round last year after he led the Aggies in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles. Texas A&M had a top-10 scoring defense in 2023 and Cooper, the first linebacker off the board, was the only prospect in the draft class to lead his team in all four categories. Cooper missed almost three weeks during training camp with a hip injury, preventing him from catching stride until regular-season games had already started. When injured, he'd stand some 30 yards behind the secondary in practice with his helmet on and go through the motions before and after the snap to stay relatively up to speed. He played less than 15 percent of the defensive snaps in the first two games of the season against the Eagles and Colts before progressing into the 30s, 60s and then the high 90s by the end of the season. Advertisement Even after missing three games in the second half of the season with a hamstring injury, Cooper showed how good he can be with what he did right after an extended layoff. In his first game back against the Seahawks in Week 15, he earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after posting a sack, two TFLs and an interception in a blowout win. It was his second such honor in the last four games he had played. With everyone watching on SNF!#ProBowlVote + #EdgerrinCooper — Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 16, 2024 'I think he hit a stretch there in the middle of the season where he was just really comfortable with what we were doing defensively, with his teammates and everything around him,' general manager Brian Gutekunst said at the NFL Scouting Combine this week. 'And he's a little different than some.' Cooper might've been a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist if not for that midseason injury. He finished sixth for the award and only five players made the final cut. Fifty votes were cast for the award, with Cooper receiving one second-place tally, three for third place, four for fourth and eight for fifth. According to Stathead, Cooper was only the third rookie since 1999 with at least 80 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 13 TFLs and four pass breakups. The other two were Brian Urlacher and DeMeco Ryans. Cooper also got one vote for second-team All-Pro, meaning one of the 50 voters believed he was among the six best linebackers in the NFL. 'When he was on the field, he was dynamic and it changed our football team,' Gutekunst said. 'I think part of his maturation is making sure he's himself, ready to be out there each and every week … just continue to understand that we're basically in a 20-game-plus season and how you have to prepare, not only physically but mentally, to handle those challenges. 'I think after the guys get through their first year, there's a big exhale and then there's an understanding of what this is and what I've got to do to play at my best week in and week out and get myself the best chance to stay healthy.' The 3rd edition of the NFLPA Team Report Cards is here! 📊 With free agency ahead, these insights help players evaluate workplace conditions across all 32 teams. Progress is happening, but there's more work to do. See the full list of team grades here: — NFLPA (@NFLPA) February 26, 2025 In his second season, Cooper should rarely leave the field, if at all, when healthy. That was a talking point among fans last season, that he wasn't playing enough after he began playing well. But Hafley was careful not to overload the rookie who was still learning, even when sometimes it didn't seem like he had much learning left. Hafley was asked in late December about highlighting Cooper more. Advertisement 'I mean, he was the NFC Defensive Player of the Week a week ago and he led the team in tackles this last week, so I think that we are highlighting him,' Hafley said. 'I mean, we're sending him (on blitzes). He's running games. Yeah, I think we're doing a good job of highlighting him right now and I'm not sure there's much more we can do with him right now. I think as he continues to develop, we can, but I think we're doing a pretty good job of that right now.' GO DEEPER Packers 7-round mock draft 1.0: Will Brian Gutekunst hit immediately on first-rounder? Cooper, who doesn't turn 24 until November, can do it all. A two-drive sequence against the Jaguars in Week 8 proved that when he burst through the line for a sack-fumble that turned into a touchdown and then retreated about 40 yards downfield to break up a pass on the next defensive drive (he earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week for that game, too). As Cooper enters his second season in the same system and if he keeps a clean bill of health that allows him to be an every-down player, there's no reason he can't make those sequences regular occurrences and become one of the NFL's best linebackers.
