Packers: Rashan Gary listed among top 2024 NFL free agents

A year from now, Green Bay Packers star pass rusher Rashan Gary is set to become a free agent.

The Packers picked up Gary's fifth-year option last offseason, ensuring he remains under contract through 2023.

If a new deal isn't agreed between the Packers and Gary before next March, he will become a free agent at 26 years old, hitting the best years of his career.

Gary plays at a premium position, and it's not easy to find players as talented as him. The Athletic ranked the top upcoming free agents in 2024, and it's no surprise to see Gary at No. 10 on the list.

He ranks third among edge rushers behind Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers and Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers.

The Packers typically work out contract extensions with their star players well in advance of free agency. They signed Elgton Jenkins to a new four-year deal last December, a few months before his contract expired.

As Gary will be in 2023, Jenkins was in his first season back from a torn ACL.

When healthy, Gary is one of the best pass rushers in football. He was on pace for 11 sacks and 23 quarterback hits last season before suffering the injury.

Gary will likely earn a deal averaging above $20 million per year, but he's worth it. Assuming the Packers trade Aaron Rodgers this offseason, Rodgers' contract would be off the books in 2024, creating more space for a Gary extension.

While Gary is coming back from a significant injury, the Packers should have no concerns about handing him a new multi-year extension. He deserves it.

But the Packers may want to get a new deal done sooner rather than later. Once he's back on the field making life miserable for quarterbacks, his asking price will only keep rising.