Handing out the Green Bay Packers midseason awards

MVP: Rashan Gary

Recently awarded a rich four-year, $107 million extension from Green Bay, Rashan Gary has continued to lead the Packers' defense. If there was one certainty entering the season, it was Gary's ability to be a game-wrecker.

Like in previous seasons, so often during games, Gary is immediately in the backfield, applying pressure on the quarterback and not allowing a play to develop fully.

Playing only 45% of the Packers defensive snaps this season, Gary has produced the second-highest pass-rush win rate in 2023 (25.6%). Per Next Gen Stats, heading into Week 10, Gary ranked second in the NFL in pressure rate (23.1).

Despite the defense not playing its best game against Pittsburgh and falling to 3-6, Gary upped his overall grade on the season, now leading the Packers' defense with an 80.3 PFF grade.

With the Packers' defense yet to live up to expectations, despite having eight first-rounders and a former All-Pro middle linebacker, Gary has remained the motor on the unit. But his heart and passion as a leader are felt across the entire locker room.

After seeing very few snaps in the early weeks of the season while being eased back into action, Gary has yet to crack the top 30 in total true pass-rush snaps this season. With 4.5 sacks on the season, good for second on the Packers behind Preston Smith (five), Gary has been the most consistent disruptor and most impactful player on the roster in 2023.

Runner up: Zach Tom

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