The Green Bay Packers are confronted with a pivotal financial decision regarding Rashan Gary’s contract, which could cost up to $19.5 million when including bonuses. This choice, set to happen soon, also impacts decisions about defensive end Kingsley Enagbare and several other young players competing for the team’s edge rush spots for the upcoming NFL season.
How the Packers handle Gary’s contract will set the tone for their defensive edge group’s composition and depth moving forward.
Barryn Sorrell’s Performance as a Rookie Edge Rusher
Barryn Sorrell, a fourth-round draft pick from last year, made his NFL debut with the Packers and appeared in 14 games during his rookie season. His most notable outing was a Week 18 start against Minnesota, where he recorded eight tackles and his only full sack of the season on 52 snaps. Despite limited production overall—1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and 15 tackles—Sorrell demonstrated strong effort and reliable run defense.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst praised Sorrell’s late-season performance and expressed optimism about his role in the defensive front going forward.
“Really excited about Barryn,” said Brian Gutekunst, General Manager. “With the opportunities he was given last year, I thought he performed very, very well, especially late in the season when we needed him. I thought he did a really nice job, and I think he’ll be a major part of that core group moving forward.”
Collin Oliver’s Injury-Plagued Introduction
Collin Oliver, selected in the fifth round last year, faced significant setbacks due to injuries before making his NFL debut late in the 2024 season. After suffering a foot injury during his final college year and aggravating a hamstring injury at the scouting combine and rookie camp, he saw limited action until the season’s last game against Minnesota. In that game, Oliver played 31 snaps and recorded a tackle for loss along with two quarterback hits.
Despite being viewed as a versatile player who might fill a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher role, Oliver’s availability remains uncertain given his injury history. His teammates nicknamed him “Baby Micah,” drawing a comparison to star linebacker Micah Parsons and signaling potential upside if healthy.
Oliver himself acknowledged the challenges of returning to full health and the adjustments his body requires post-injury.
“I was going full out, going full on, and I was feeling good up until those points and then, boom, they would just happen randomly,” Oliver said. “It would just be a cause of my body getting adjusted. I’d be doing everything right in terms of the rehab, the training. Everything was going well, it would just be my body has to get adjusted to what it had.”
Gutekunst highlighted Oliver’s athleticism and potential fit in the new defensive scheme led by coach Jonathan Gannon.
“Oliver, obviously, was a little bit of a wild card because he’s a bit of a tweener, kind of a SAM (strong-side) linebacker/edge rusher, and he was on the shelf,” Gutekunst said. “Didn’t really know during the season if we’d ever get the ability to get him out there, and that last game was really nice to get him out there to see what he could do. You guys probably saw it, too, he can really run and then his ability to chase the quarterback is something that you need in this league so I’m excited for this new scheme that we’re going to run with Jonathan (Gannon) just how he fits. I think there’s a lot of versatility and upside in Collin. We’ll see how it goes.”
Restricted Free Agents and Depth Concerns
Among the Packers’ restricted free agents this offseason are Brenton Cox and Arron Mosby, both defensive players contributing to the edge depth. Cox showed promise in 2024 with four sacks across seven games but was limited by a groin injury in 2025, appearing in only four contests. His most extensive playing time came in Week 18 against Minnesota, where he recorded a sack and four quarterback pressures.
Mosby, while minimal on defensive snaps, was active on special teams and showed flashes of pressure capability in limited action late in the season. However, due to the financial cost involved in tendering them as restricted free agents, the Packers are unlikely to retain either player, making them likely candidates for unrestricted free agency.
How Gary’s Contract Decision Affects Team Roster Moves
Green Bay’s defensive edge group faces notable uncertainty, especially with star Micah Parsons expected to miss the start of the season. Excluding Gary and the restricted free agents, the projected Week 1 depth chart includes starters Lukas Van Ness and Barryn Sorrell, with Collin Oliver as the primary backup.
If the Packers release Gary, re-signing Enagbare would become a priority, though the team will operate within a strict financial framework. Conversely, if Gary remains, perhaps with a renegotiated contract, Enagbare might seek opportunities elsewhere. The restricted free agents, while potentially useful for depth, are unlikely to command contracts that disrupt team budgeting.
Gutekunst emphasized the importance of the decision surrounding Gary’s future with the team, noting his proven talent and the expectation of continued performance at a high level.
“Rashan’s got all the talent in the world and he’s produced at a high level for us since he’s been here. We expect that from him next year, as well,” said Brian Gutekunst, General Manager.
Implications for the Packers’ Defensive Edge Strategy
The outcome of the Packers’ decision regarding Rashan Gary will have wide-reaching consequences for their defensive strategies and roster construction. Retaining Gary would solidify the edge position with a proven performer, while his departure would necessitate a restructuring around younger, less proven players like Sorrell and Oliver, accompanied by the retention or replacement of players like Enagbare, Cox, and Mosby.
Managing these personnel choices carefully will be critical for the Packers heading into the 2025 season, especially as they adapt to potential new schemes under coach Jonathan Gannon and address the absence of Parsons early on.
