The Green Bay Packers saw their Super Bowl hopes diminish on Sunday after losing several key players to injury.

The devastating blow was superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons going down with a torn ACL. Green Bay traded two first-round picks and Kenny Clark for Parsons in the offseason. They then inked him to a four-year $188 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.

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Parsons had been well worth the price tag, as he had 41 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 26 quarterback hits.

He was proving again that he’s one of the best players in the league and an elite pass rusher.

With Parsons out for the season, the Packers will have a difficult time creating a pass rush. One player Green Bay will need to step up is Rashan Gary.

Gary was a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he got off to a hot start in 2025. Gary has 44 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 19 quarterback hits.

However, he has struggled since midseason, as he hasn’t recorded a sack since a two-sack game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 26th.

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That simply won’t cut it, especially on the four-year $96 million extension they gave him in 2023. With his big contract, the Packers were expected to cut or restructure Gary’s deal in the offseason, as he hadn’t produced to the level they expected.

However, with Parsons’ injury, Gary has a chance to prove that Green Bay should keep him for the 2026 season. It will be difficult, as now opposing offenses will send double teams and chip blocks at Gary rather than Parsons.

If he can have an impact down the stretch and step up as the Packers’ best pass rusher, it will help the team remain competitive.

Green Bay is in a battle with the Chicago Bears for the NFC North title, as the winner of their matchup on Saturday will take first place in the division. They will need Gary and the pass rush to get to Caleb Williams to get a victory.

This is a make-or-break opportunity for Gary, and if he makes the most of it, he could remain a Packer beyond this season.