Packers Face Key Decisions on Defensive Roster

Rashan Gary's contract and other young edge rushers will impact Green Bay's defense next season

Mar. 2, 2026 at 9:55pm

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The Green Bay Packers have a major decision to make on the future of star defensive end Rashan Gary, who is due $19.5 million in 2023. This decision will have a trickle-down effect on the team's other young edge rushers, including Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, Brenton Cox, and Arron Mosby. The Packers will need to determine which players to retain and how to structure their defensive line going forward.

Why it matters

The Packers' pass rush is a critical component of their defense, and the decisions they make on Gary and the other young edge rushers will shape the team's defensive identity for years to come. With questions around Gary's contract and the development of players like Sorrell and Oliver, the Packers face important roster decisions that could significantly impact their on-field performance.

The details

The Packers have a $19.5 million decision to make on whether to keep star defensive end Rashan Gary. This will have a ripple effect on other young edge rushers like Barryn Sorrell, a 2022 fourth-round pick who played well late in the season, and Collin Oliver, a 2022 fifth-round pick who missed most of his rookie year due to injuries. The Packers also have restricted free agents Brenton Cox and Arron Mosby to consider. Depending on what happens with Gary, the Packers may need to prioritize re-signing Kingsley Enagbare to bolster their defensive line.

  • In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Packers used a fourth-round pick on Barryn Sorrell and a fifth-round pick on Collin Oliver.
  • Sorrell played in 14 games as a rookie, starting one, and had 1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits, and 15 tackles.
  • Oliver missed most of his rookie season due to injuries but made his NFL debut in Week 18, recording 1 tackle for loss and 2 QB hits.
  • The Packers have to make a decision on Rashan Gary's $19.5 million contract for the 2023 season.
  • Brenton Cox and Arron Mosby are restricted free agents the Packers will need to make decisions on.

The players

Rashan Gary

A star defensive end for the Green Bay Packers who is due $19.5 million in 2023, a decision the team must make.

Barryn Sorrell

A 2022 fourth-round draft pick of the Packers who played in 14 games as a rookie, starting one, and had 1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits, and 15 tackles.

Collin Oliver

A 2022 fifth-round draft pick of the Packers who missed most of his rookie season due to injuries but made his NFL debut in Week 18, recording 1 tackle for loss and 2 QB hits.

Brenton Cox

A restricted free agent of the Packers who had 4 sacks in 7 games in 2024 but was injured for most of 2025.

Arron Mosby

A restricted free agent of the Packers who played 17 snaps on defense in 2022 but was a core special teams player.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Brian Gutekunst, General Manager, Green Bay Packers

“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. 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.”

— Brian Gutekunst, General Manager, Green Bay Packers

“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. 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.”

— Collin Oliver

What’s next

The Packers will need to decide whether to keep Rashan Gary at his $19.5 million price tag or renegotiate his contract. This decision will impact their plans for other young edge rushers like Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, Brenton Cox, and Arron Mosby.

The takeaway

The Packers face critical roster decisions this offseason that will shape the future of their defensive line. How they handle Rashan Gary's contract and the development of their young edge rushers will be pivotal in determining the team's defensive identity and performance in 2023 and beyond.