Packers trading DE Rashan Gary to Cowboys: What deal means for Green Bay
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The Green Bay Packers are trading defensive end Rashan Gary -- the team's longest tenured player -- to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NFL draft, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.
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Instead of releasing Gary, who was scheduled to have a cap number of $28 million in 2026, the Packers found a trade partner and were able to secure a valuable pick in next year's draft.
Here's what the deal means for the Packers:
-- Getting anything, much less a fourth-round pick in 2027, for Gary and his contract has to be considered a big win for the Packers, who were clearly done with the player. The assumption was that no team would take on his deal, and the Packers would have to just release him. A fourth-round pick is a nice and unexpected prize.
-- The production and effort didn't match the price for Gary, who was once an ascending player but fell off sharply to end the 2025 season. The Packers had to find a way to move on or lower his price, and they did.
-- This move clears $11 million off the salary cap in 2026 and $31 million off the cap in 2027, creating much-needed flexibility in the present and putting the Packers in a good spot for 2027.
-- The Packers are going to be swimming in mid-round picks in 2027. It's possible the Packers will receive four compensatory picks in 2027, including possible third-rounders for Rasheed Walker and Malik Willis and possible fourth-rounders for Romeo Doubs and Quay Walker. But netting a fourth-round pick next year for Gary might make the Packers more willing to dip into free agency and sign an expensive target.
-- The time is now for Lukas Van Ness, who will become a full-time player at edge rusher for the Packers in 2026. Expect the Packers to pick up his fifth-year option this offseason. He needs to be a big-time player in Jonathan Gannon's defense.
-- Bump edge rusher up the list of needs for the Packers. Gary is gone, and Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox Jr. are free agents. The Packers like Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver, but don't be surprised if this is a spot where the Packers add a veteran or use another draft pick.
-- The Packers will see Gary next year at Lambeau Field. The Cowboys are scheduled to come to Green Bay during the regular season.
-- The Packers will count $34 million on the cap in the form of dead money for Gary and Kenny Clark in 2026. This is the financial punishment for contract mistakes. More dead money is coming when Elgton Jenkins is traded or released.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers trading DE Rashan Gary to Cowboys: What deal means for Green Bay