If there were any remaining doubts that Rashan Gary is playing his final snaps for the Green Bay Packers, it would appear the writing is now on the wall.
Gary's lack of production has become a massive problem for the Packers, and it has only worsened following Micah Parsons' season-ending injury. He has now gone nine games without a sack, quarterback hit, or tackle for loss. Not a single one.
His lack of a full-time role has also come into question – Parsons has played almost nine percent more of the Packers' defensive snaps than Gary this season, despite missing two full games and beginning the year on a pitch count. Now, it seems the Packers have had enough.
In their Week 17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Gary ranked third in snap counts among edge defenders, with Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare getting more opportunities.
Rashan Gary is as good as gone after losing snaps in Packers' Week 17 loss
Gary is only two years removed from signing a massive $96 million extension. The Packers expected him to take the final step to stardom after showing All-Pro potential early in his career. Yet even when Gary had Parsons alongside him this season, he failed to become even a dependable starting edge-rusher, let alone a true difference-maker.
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It's clear the Packers have lost trust in their 2019 first-round pick. Not only did he lose snaps and appear to fall down the depth chart against the Ravens, but he also put in one of his worst performances of the season.
On Derrick Henry's fourth touchdown run, a 25-yarder, Gary was unable to get off his block from Devontez Walker, a wide receiver. It allowed Henry to run right past him for the score.
According to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, Gary played just 45 percent of the defensive snaps in this game. That compares to 79 percent for Enagbare and 62 percent for Van Ness, who has recently returned from a significant foot injury. For context, Gary played the same number of snaps as sixth-round rookie Warren Brinson.
It's over. Gary likely just played his final home game for the Packers. They will finish the regular season on the road against the Minnesota Vikings before entering the playoffs as the No. 7 seed, which means they must play every game away from Lambeau.
Per Spotrac, Gary's cap hits rise to $28 million and $31 million over the next two seasons. There's no way the Packers can justify those numbers. By releasing or trading the veteran, they'd create just under $11 million in cap space, leaving them with $17 million in dead cap.
It's inevitable. The Packers sent a clear message about where they stand on Gary, and it sure seems like he's playing his final snaps for this team.