In his second season in the NFL, Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary is moving in the right direction. Gary, the former first round pick has already doubled his sack total (4) from his rookie season and tripled his number of quarterback hits (9) with four games to play.
Through 12 games, Gary is arguably the most improved player on the Packers defense, and passing Wayne Larrivee’s eye-test.
“Even when he’s not getting to the quarterback, he’s affecting the quarterback,” Larrivee tells Wisconsin’s Afternoon News. “That’s the thing that has led to some sacks for other guys.”
Far from a finished product, Gary is beginning to show why the Packers selected him with the number-12 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
“They think this kid is tremendously talented'” Larrivee continues. “Mike Smith, the outside linebackers Coach is his biggest fan…and that guy is not the kind of guy to hand out false praise. I think this kid has a chance to be really good. I just hope he can stay healthy.”
Gary is a part of a Packers defense that ranks 10th in the league with 31 sacks.