GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers are in Cleveland for their preseason opener Saturday against the Browns. Rashan Gary is a perfect example of how the Packers defense will look different under new coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Gary was an outside linebacker. Now, in a 4-3 defense, he’s an edge rusher with his hand on the ground.
“It’s really not too difficult,” Gary said about the transition. “If anything, it’s been more fun learning it. It’s a good change. Just how physical and aggressive everybody is, and we’re all on one page. I’m eager to go out there, see everybody flying around, see the communication, because the communication’s been on-point in camp. Just seeing that type of mindset, seeing how we’ve been putting things together practice-wise, can’t wait to see it on Saturday coming up and Sundays in the season.”
Gary had nine sacks last season despite coming off a torn ACL.
He said he has high hopes for the Packers defense this season.
“As long as everybody pushes each other day in, day out. Our performance on the practice field doesn’t matter. I want to be very critical of ourselves. In season, it goes up and down, but we don’t want to have no up and down days. We keep pushing ourselves to be consistent. As long as you hold yourself accountable, the sky is the limit. We got the names and everything, but we got to go out there and do the work on Sunday,” Gary said.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has called Gary a “tone setter.” Gary consistently brings energy to practice. Without question, Gary is one of the Packers’ leaders.
“It’s just me being me,” Gary said. “I’m the type of guy, I lead by example and everybody follows. It’s something that I grind for, and also pray for. I’m happy to be in that position. That’s something I don’t take for granted. I keep telling the guys, last year I didn’t have the time to go to camp with rehab. I take [that] dear to my heart and I always cherish, regardless of how tired I get. It is a blessing that I’m even here right now, being able to go through camp, because I didn’t have it last year.”
As to how much he’ll play in the preseason, Gary said it’s a blessing to step on the field anytime.