Packers Stay Perfect in the Division, But Rashan Gary's Slump Raises Big Questions
The Green Bay Packers did what they needed to do on Sunday: win a divisional game at home, keep their momentum rolling, and stay in the thick of the NFC playoff race. A 28-21 victory over the Chicago Bears checked all those boxes, and with it, the Packers improved to 4-0 in NFC North play-an impressive mark that now positions them for a potential No. 2 seed in the conference.
Cornerback Keisean Nixon sealed the win with a late fourth-quarter interception, sending Lambeau Field into celebration mode. But while the team walked away with a crucial win, not every performance left fans cheering.
Rashan Gary’s Vanishing Act Continues
One name drawing more murmurs than applause lately? Rashan Gary. The veteran edge rusher, once seen as a cornerstone of the Packers’ defense, has been noticeably quiet-and Sunday was no exception.
Gary logged 40 snaps, nearly identical to Kingsley Enagbare’s 39, but it was Enagbare who notched the team’s only sack. According to Pro Football Focus, Gary finished with four pressures, a pair of solo tackles, and one quarterback hit. Those numbers aren’t disastrous, but they’re far from what you expect from a player two years into a four-year, $96 million extension.
Packers fans have taken notice. The frustration isn’t just about one game-it’s about a trend. And right now, that trend has people wondering whether the team might be better off reallocating Gary’s cap-heavy contract to keep rising contributors like Enagbare.
From All-Pro Caliber to Midseason Stall
It wasn’t long ago that Gary looked like he was on a tear. Over the first eight weeks of the season, he was playing like a man on a mission-13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and a disruptive presence that had him drawing comparisons to the league’s elite pass rushers. He had already matched last season’s sack total in just seven games, and at that pace, he was tracking toward an 18-sack campaign.
But the production has dried up. Over Green Bay’s last six games, Gary has recorded zero sacks, zero tackles for loss, and just three quarterback hits. That’s a steep drop-off for a player whose contract reflects Pro Bowl expectations.
Enagbare Making His Case
While Gary’s impact has faded, Kingsley Enagbare is making the most of his opportunities. In that same six-game span, Enagbare has tallied four quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
He’s not a dominant pass rusher-his career total sits at 11.5 sacks over four seasons-but he brings consistent energy and is a reliable run defender. That effort hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially with Lukas Van Ness dealing with injuries.
Enagbare is set to hit free agency at the end of the season, and the buzz around Green Bay is that re-signing him should be a priority. With Gary’s production dipping and his cap hit looming, the Packers may have to make some tough financial decisions to keep the roster balanced.
A Fork in the Road for Gary and the Packers
Here’s the financial reality: moving on from Gary could free up $11 million in cap space, according to team cap analyst Ken Ingalls. That’s no small chunk of change for a team looking to retain key contributors and build depth.
Of course, trading Gary wouldn’t be simple. His contract includes a $28 million cap hit in 2026 and a hefty $31 million in 2027.
Any team interested would need to be willing to absorb that burden-and the Packers would need to get meaningful draft compensation in return, likely a Day 2 pick, to make it worthwhile.
This isn’t a case of Gary being washed-he’s still just 28, and his early-season form showed he can be a difference-maker. But the second half of this season has raised legitimate questions about his consistency, fit, and long-term future in Green Bay. Sometimes, a fresh start benefits both sides.
For now, the Packers are winning, and that’s what matters most in December. But as the postseason picture sharpens, so too will the decisions that shape this team’s next chapter-and Gary’s future is very much a part of that conversation.