Green Bay Packers: 2024 Team Sacks Leader Given “D-Plus” Rating? Sports Illustrated Critiques Rashan Gary and Others

In its annual Report Card, Sports Illustrated handed out poor grades to several Green Bay Packers defenders, including team sacks leader Rashan Gary, who received a C-minus or worse. The 6th-year defensive end finished the 2024 season with 7.5 sacks.

Gary’s low grade is largely tied to salary cap factors, which serve as the basis for SI’s grading system. Given his 4-year, $96 million extension through 2027, it’s likely that he’s underperforming relative to his pay.

The article points out that Gary is the eighth-highest-paid edge defender, earning $24 million annually. Given that substantial salary, superior performance is expected, yet Gary ranked 36th among 211 qualified edge rushers in PFF’s overall score. This raises the question: is Gary really an undesirable asset? SI seems to think so.

Green Bay Packers Paid Rashan Gary Big Money—Is He Delivering?

Given Gary’s pay, position, and past development, it’s hard to argue against the idea that he should be a “game-changer” on any given play. However, the fact that he hasn’t reached that elite level of play is one reason the Packers may target a pass rusher this offseason through free agency or trade.

From a numbers perspective, Gary’s performance has been solid. While rushing the passer isn’t his primary strength, he finished 65th out of 211 edge rushers in this area, and ranked 17th against the run. Although pass rushing is typically the more valued trait for defensive ends, Gary’s performance isn’t the main issue—it’s his production relative to his hefty salary. The Packers are limited in how much they can spend elsewhere, including at edge rusher, due to his $24 million yearly salary.

The article notes: “After six seasons, he’s still looking for his first 10-sack season. Gary had 15 quarterback hits; the average for other top-10 paid edge rushers was 23.”

If you asked Green Bay’s front office whether they would accept this outcome when they signed his extension, a “yes” seems unlikely.

Gary Is Good But Not Great

According to SI, the issue goes beyond money. When compared to other pass rushers with similar playing time, Gary’s performance is just above average.

Pro Football Focus reports that of 79 edge defenders with at least 250 pass-rushing opportunities, Gary ranked 37th in pass-rushing productivity, which measures sacks, hits, and hurries per pass-rush snap, and 39th in pass-rush win rate.

The Packers are paying Gary to be much better than this. Despite finishing 10th in sacks last season, Green Bay could still use another strong pass rusher.

Other defenders also received poor grades, including 2nd-year DE Lukas Van Ness (C-), who regressed in his second season, and backup Arron Mosby, lower on the depth chart.

Defensive lineman Kingsley Enagbare received a C, and rookie Brenton Cox earned a B. Limited to seven games due to injury, Cox performed well for a first-year player while carrying a cap hit under a million dollars.

If the Packers want to strengthen their pass rush alongside Gary and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, a promising rookie in 2024, several free-agent options are available. These include Josh Sweat and Khalil Mack, who both ranked higher than Gary in PFF’s grade last season—28th and 5th, respectively.