3 Packers that will make team better in 2023 that are already in the building

2. Rashan Gary

Gary was in the midst of a bona fide breakout season before a torn ACL injury ended his 2022 season prematurely. With a little luck, the disruptive edge rusher will recover in time to be ready to go when his team’s 2023 season gets underway.

The former first-round pick had six sacks this season but that doesn’t fully illustrate how dominant he was from his outside linebacker spot. He posted a quarterback pressure rate of 19.9% which was the second-highest rate in the NFL during his healthy portion of the season.

The idea that Gary hasn’t reached his full potential yet should be frightening for opposing offensive coordinators. The challenge for him moving forward is to round out his game as an all-purpose defender. Gary’s value will always chiefly be as an edge rusher, but the Packers’ defense can get a big boost if he improves his run recognition at the line of scrimmage.

Gary’s contract will be a subject of conversation in Green Bay this offseason since 2023 is the last year of his current deal. Locking him up for the long haul despite his knee injury would be a prudent move for the front office. His elevation from good to great could be vital to the defense’s hopes of becoming a good unit next season.