Rashan Gary about to get paid big money?

Submitted by oriental andrew on May 25th, 2022 at 9:55 AM

https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/33978366/280-million-kyler-murray-how-much-money-nick-bosa-deebo-samuel-get

Subscription story, but basically about the top players from the 2019 draft and what they're projecting the second contracts will look like. 

Gary ends up 10th on the top 10 list and they are estimating his next contract at "five years, $130 million ($26M per year), $45 million total guaranteed (Note: the Packers typically don't guarantee any money outside of signing bonuses for non-quarterbacks)."

Go get paid, young man! And, as ever, Go Blue!

Snippets of their write-up:

No. 12 overall pick

Gary has a case for being the breakout player of the 2021 season, as his staggering 81 quarterback pressures in 2021 ranked second among edge defenders. When accounting for snaps played, Gary's 18.4% pressure percentage narrowly outpaced Maxx Crosby for the top mark of the season. 

Gary had a slower start to his career as he transitioned from a defensive end at Michigan that usually had his hand in the dirt to a stand-up, outside linebacker in Green Bay. His ascendancy as he reworked his body composition and pass-rush arsenal should serve as the blueprint for 2022 No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker, who faces a very similar transition at the next level.

Gary has put everything together from a skill standpoint, and the sky is truly the limit. He has yet to play 700 snaps in a season [but] Gary should be the focal point of the Packers' front seven.

The Packers may elect to wait on Gary as well, but with the money cleared up from trading Davante Adams, they could explore a multi-year deal before Gary repeats his 2021 performance and asks for the moon in negotiations.

Broken Brilliance

May 25th, 2022 at 10:49 AM ^

As a team owner, I'll see what I can swing at the next shareholder meeting. 

He's been a fantastic player for us and the defense is set up to kick some serious ass this year.

Champeen

May 25th, 2022 at 10:50 AM ^

Gary was very very good at Michigan.  His pressures were amazing.  But i don't remember any other player 'almost' getting there as much as Gary.  His numbers (sacks) should have been so much higher.  I always thought he was unlucky.  But if he is also 'almost' getting there again in the NFL - maybe there is just something wrong?

DCGrad

May 25th, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^

Don’t underestimate the value of QB pressures. It’s not the counting stat that sacks are, but pretty much every QB’s accuracy dips when they are under pressure.

Obviously 2nd and 15 is better for the defense than second and 10 for a sack vs. an incompletion caused by pressure, but the offense is behind the sticks either way. 

OwenGoBlue

May 25th, 2022 at 11:11 AM ^

Generally pressures is the better evaluation number (larger sample size) but some guys just don’t get the sacks for whatever reason like Clowney in the NFL. 

I don’t know that Rashan is one of those guys, at least not based on his play at Michigan. The Don Brown blitz scheme had a more egalitarian sack distribution across the front 7, and teams were always trying to get the ball out quick. Think Rashan would’ve been a double digit sack guy in last year’s scheme. 

BlueWolverine02

May 25th, 2022 at 11:13 AM ^

He lacked bend here at Michigan, that ability to get around the edge.  That and didn't have much of an inside move so his outside speed rush didn't often get home as OTs could just run him upfield. Most of his success came on bull rush type plays. Don't watch enough NFL to know if he has fixed that.  

LDNfan

May 25th, 2022 at 11:20 AM ^

Great to see...think he was a bit under appreciated here but he did what D. Brown's D asked him to do and did it well. 

Benthom11

May 25th, 2022 at 3:13 PM ^

Here's how I'd rank the top UM DEs of the last 10 years:

1. Hutchinson

2. Winovich

3. Ojabo

4. Uche

5. Paye

6. Wormley

7. Clark

8. Charlton

9. Gary

So yeah, I still think he was average at Michigan. In his best season, he was 5th on the team in TFL and in a 3 way tie for 3rd on the team in sacks. 

CaliforniaNobody

May 25th, 2022 at 3:59 PM ^

So many armchair scouts were sure he would bust. I have loved watching him blossom into a star. Get that bag Rashan, you deserve it after turning down the illegal bag from Clemson.