PACKERS AND LB RASHAN GARY AGREE TO TERMS ON A FOUR-YEAR, $107 MILLION EXTENSION
The Green Bay Packers and fifth-year pass rusher Rashan Gary have agreed to terms on a new long-term contract extension, Gary announced on Monday.
The former Michigan Wolverine’s new four-year deal includes $96 million in new money and up to $107.532 million in total money, as per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The total amount includes Gary’s $10.9 million fifth-year option salary this year. Green Bay had previously picked up Gary’s fifth-year option on April 29th, 2022.
The new extension pays Gary an AAV salary of $24 million, set to kick in next year, which should run from 2024 through the 2027 season. The deal, negotiated and announced by Gary’s own sports agency, Rashan Gary Sports, also includes a huge $34.63 million signing bonus.
“Thanks to everyone in the Green Bay Packers organization, my family, business team, NFL, friends, fans and supporters for taking this ride with me,” said Gary. “The grind don’t stop. Sacrifices lead to achievable goals. Put cheese on everything. Go pack go.”
With multiple reports all through the offseason claiming that Gary was looking for top 3 edge rusher money, the deal comes in a little cheaper than expected with the $24 million-a-year salary nestling the New Jersey native just between Browns’ edge rusher Myles Garrett ($25 million) and Chargers’ Khalil Mack ($23.5 million). Gary is now the fifth-highest paid edge rusher in the league. 49ers’ Nick Bosa ($34 million), Steelers TJ Watt ($28 million) and Chargers’ Joey Bosa ($27 million) lead the way in annual pay.
The Packers announced the extension later on with General Manager Brian Gutekunst confirming the news on Monday. “Rashan has been an impact player and person for us since he joined the Packers,” said Gutekunst. “His work ethic is unmatched and he has developed into a team leader and cornerstone of our team. We are very pleased that he will remain in Green Bay for years to come.”
A former first-round pick, Gary tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions last year and has battled back impressively to position himself as one of the league’s most disruptive pass rushers. The 6-foot-5 linebacker has registered a total of 159 tackles, 66 QB hits, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 27 sacks across his first five years in the league.
“I don’t know what it did to me, but it for sure made me a hungrier player,” said Gary said about his ACL injury. “And I already was a hungry player.”
Gary is set to have his best year yet this season, as he leads the Packers in sacks (4.5), pressures (28), 8 QB hits, and is tied for the lead in tackles for loss (5). The 25-year-old’s return to form has been crucial for the Packers who are struggling in the first year of the Jordan Love era. Gary announced his return with a huge three-sack performance against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3 and, despite playing limited snaps, helped spearhead an 18-point fourth quarter comeback at home.
The new extension is a huge show of confidence on the part of the Packers who prove that they view the Plainfield-born edge rusher as one of the team’s major cornerstones on defense, alongside a talented secondary that includes All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was extended by Green Bay last year.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: All-Pro Reels. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.