Van Ness Is Back, but the Real Shock in Green Bay Is the Growing Unease Around Rashan Gary.QQ

As Lukas Van Ness nears a return, the Packers face a pivotal decision on Rashan Garys role amid rising pressure and emerging competition on the defensive line.

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The Green Bay Packers are rolling right now. Winners of four straight, they’ve surged past the Bears to take control of the NFC North. But while the team’s momentum is undeniable, not every piece of the puzzle is clicking – and one of the more surprising storylines is the quiet stretch from edge rusher Rashan Gary.

Gary, who inked a four-year, $96 million extension during the 2023 season, came into the year with high expectations – and for a while, he delivered. Through the first eight weeks, he was a disruptive force, racking up 7.5 sacks and 13 solo tackles.

At that point, only Micah Parsons had more sacks. But since then, the production has fallen off a cliff.

Over the last six games, Gary has posted zero sacks, zero tackles for loss, and just three quarterback hits. That’s not what you expect from a player carrying a hefty contract and supposed to be anchoring the pass rush.

Now, with Green Bay eyeing a deep postseason run and the defense looking to stay sharp, the coaching staff may be forced to take a hard look at Gary’s role – especially with Lukas Van Ness potentially set to return this weekend against the 11-2 Denver Broncos.

Van Ness, the second-year defensive end out of Iowa, has been limited this season due to a foot injury. He made a brief return in Week 12 against the Vikings but was quickly sidelined again. According to head coach Matt LaFleur, Van Ness was expected to participate in practice this week, a sign that he could be trending toward active status on Sunday.

And his return could complicate things for Gary.

Van Ness is currently listed behind Gary at left defensive end and has only appeared in six games this season, tallying 11 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three tackles for loss. Modest numbers, sure, but the Packers need to find out what they have in him. His rookie season showed flashes, and with his contract set to run through 2026, this stretch run could be pivotal in determining whether he’s part of the long-term plan – or just depth.

The timing couldn’t be more pressing. Kingsley Enagbare, who lines up opposite Gary at right defensive end, has stepped up in a big way.

He made two impact plays in the win over the Bears and has been one of the more reliable run defenders on the team, recording nine run stops over the past six games – compared to Gary’s seven. Enagbare’s emergence has already cut into Gary’s snap count, and it’s hard to argue with the results.

If Van Ness is healthy enough to go, expect the Packers to give him a longer look. Not necessarily because he’s expected to take over immediately, but because the team needs to evaluate where he stands. He’s never topped four sacks in a season, but the only way to assess his ceiling is to get him on the field and see how he handles real reps in meaningful games.

It’s not just about Sunday. It’s about the future.

Gary’s overall numbers still look decent on paper – 42 pressures (20th among 112 qualified edge defenders) and a 67.1 Pro Football Focus grade (52nd overall). But those stats are heavily front-loaded from his hot start. The recent six-game stretch tells a different story, one that raises real questions about consistency and long-term value.

For the Packers, this is a balancing act. They’re trying to win now, but they also have to keep an eye on what comes next.

If Van Ness shows he can handle a bigger role – and Enagbare continues to prove he belongs – Green Bay may find themselves with two young, cost-controlled edge rushers. And that could make Gary, despite his contract, a candidate for an offseason move.

This isn’t about writing Gary off. He’s shown he can be a high-impact player.

But in the NFL, production talks – and lately, Gary’s been quiet. With Van Ness potentially back in the fold and Enagbare already making noise, the Packers have some decisions to make.

And those decisions could define the shape of their defense not just for this playoff push, but for the seasons to come.