The Green Bay Packers are facing a pivotal decision regarding Rashan Gary. On paper, the situation seems straightforward-Gary's been sidelined by injuries, his performance hasn't matched expectations, and he's carrying a hefty $28 million cap hit. However, the reality is more nuanced, and the Packers might not be ready to move on from him just yet.
With the team currently $1.58 million over the salary cap, as reported by Over The Cap, they might have no option but to part ways with Gary, regardless of their sentiments. This scenario could open the door for Barryn Sorrell to make his mark.
Barryn Sorrell's Opportunity in the Packers' Defense
If Gary departs, someone needs to step up in the Packers' pass rush, especially with Micah Parsons sidelined by a season-ending injury. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has expressed confidence in Sorrell:
“Really excited about Barryn,” Gutekunst shared regarding the fourth-round pick, as noted by Packers insider Matt Schneidman. “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.”
Lukas Van Ness is also expected to play a significant role as a starter, but Kingsley Enagbare's status as a restricted free agent leaves his future with the team uncertain. Collin Oliver could be in the mix too, though hamstring issues limited him to just one game in his rookie season.
Even with Van Ness and Enagbare potentially in the lineup, Sorrell has a prime opportunity to ascend this season, particularly in Parsons' absence. Last season, Sorrell saw limited action with just 178 snaps but still managed to record six pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
In his rookie year, Sorrell appeared in 14 games (starting one) and concluded the season with 15 total tackles (seven solo), three QB hits, one tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery. As he adapts to new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon's system, Sorrell will look to expand his role.
The Packers boast one of the league's elite pass rushers, and his presence is a game-changer for the defense. While Parsons will draw much of the attention, the team thrives on collective effort, and Sorrell's development could be key in sharing the defensive workload.