5 ways the Packers can turn their season around in final 9 games

2. Rashan Gary continues to produce

It was difficult to say with any level of confidence what the Green Bay Packers were going to get out of fifth-year edge rusher Rashan Gary after his 2022 season ended due to a torn ACL. Green Bay has opted to ease Gary back into action this season, but the results over the season's first eight games have been beyond outstanding.

The former Michigan Wolverine has totaled 4.5 sacks, 15 pressures, 10 quarterback hits, five hurries, and five knockdowns while playing 42% of snaps on defense. This is in addition to 18 total tackles, five of which have gone for loss. Gary leads the Packers in sacks, quarterback hits, and tackles for loss despite playing less than half of all defensive snaps.

Gary's early-season production was rewarded with a well-deserved four-year, $96 million contract extension that will keep him in Green Bay through the 2027 season. If all goes well, Gary should be able to continue his impressive start to the year and build upon it over the second half of the season. The rate at which Gary's production is coming seems to point toward this being a very likely possibility. All he has to do now is go out and continue to be a force for the Packers on defense.