Rashan Gary's rank among all edge-rushers in pressures should worry Packers fans
Whether it's due to confidence, adjusting to a new scheme, or another factor, Rashan Gary has made a disappointing start to the season. The Green Bay Packers' pass rush has struggled in the opening five games, and they need more from their former first-round pick.
Including the playoffs, Gary only has one sack in his previous 12 games. Sacks aren't the be-all and end-all, and it's fine if he is generating enough pressure to either cause a quarterback to hurry a throw or for another defender to make the play. That's not happening often enough, either.
Gary faces chips and double teams on occasion, but so does every top pass-rusher around the league. The best players find ways to produce no matter what an opposing offense does to slow them down.
According to ESPN, Green Bay is 30th in pass-rush win rate entering Week 6. The entire unit needs to improve, but Gary's lack of production is becoming a major concern.
Rashan Gary is struggling to make an impact in Packers' new-look defense
It's not just sacks. Gary isn't generating pressure consistently. According to PFF, he has just six pressures in the Packers' opening five contests, ranking 72nd among edge-rushers. Compare that to some of the best players around the league, like Aidan Hutchinson, who leads the NFL with 40 pressures.
Even if we accept that Gary isn't on the level of Hutchinson or Myles Garrett, his pressure numbers are still far lower than they need to be.
Rank | Player | Pressures |
|---|---|---|
1 | Aidan Hutchinson | 40 |
2 | Jonathan Greenard | 29 |
3 | Yaya Diaby | 24 |
4 | Myles Garrett | 23 |
5 | Carl Granderson | 22 |
6 | Trey Hendrickson | 22 |
7 | Will Anderson Jr. | 21 |
8 | Micah Parsons | 21 |
9 | Greg Rousseau | 21 |
10 | Jonathon Cooper | 21 |
------------ | ------------ | ------------ |
72 | Rashan Gary | 6 |
According to Packer Report's Daire Carragher, Gary is coming off his third game with zero pressures in four weeks, having previously made at least one pressure in 54 straight contests. It's hard to explain.
The whole point of Jeff Hafley's scheme is to make life easier for the players. Gary has experience in a 4-3 system from his Michigan days. Under Hafley, Gary is expected to get after the quarterback without having some of the other tasks required of a 3-4 outside linebacker, his previous role under Joe Barry.
It's not just Gary, either. The entire pass rush lacks consistency. Even three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark had struggled to make an impact before last week's win over the Los Angeles Rams. He looked more himself in that game, with three pressures and two quarterback hits, although his wait for his first sack of the season continues.
The Packers need more consistent pressure. They have the talent to do it, and it's difficult to understand what's going on. Gary is the team's best pass-rusher and Green Bay needs a lot more from him.
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