Packers’ Gary announces contract extension
GREEN BAY − One day before the NFL trade deadline, the massive payday long anticipated for Rashan Gary finally arrived.
Garry announced on his social media accounts the Green Bay Packers signed him to a four-year, $107.5 million contract, a deal that includes a $34.6 million signing bonus. His $26.75 million average annual salary puts Gary among the NFL's five highest-paid outside linebackers.
It also represents a long journey back from the low point of Gary's career almost exactly one year ago. A 2019 first-round draft pick, Gary appeared to be ascending into stardom last year as the Packers traveled to the Detroit Lions for a Week 9 matchup. He had six sacks in the season's first eight games, easily on track for a career high, when his knee crumpled on Ford Field's turf.
Gary's season ended with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, igniting a furious rehab process to not only get back to the player he was before injury, but do it with the same lightning quickness he uses to chase after quarterbacks. He was on the field Week 1 at the Chicago Bears barely 10 months after injury, and though the Packers have been cautious with him using a limited snap count, Gary has produced.
In his first seven games back from the torn ACL, Gary has 4.5 sacks. His eight quarterback hits aren't the same frequency as the 28 he had in 2021, but Gary has appeared to be on the right trajectory. He's a lifeblood to the roster. It's likely the Packers wanted to reach a deal before Tuesday's trade deadline, making clear Gary was in their long-term plans.
Gary's average annual salary makes him the NFL's fourth-highest-paid edge rusher behind San Francisco All-Pro Nick Bosa ($34 million), Pittsburgh Steelers AllPro T.J. Watt ($28 million) and Los Angeles Chargers Pro Bowl outside linebacker Joey Bosa ($27 million). He becomes the fifth edge rusher with a signing bonus of at least $30 million.