The Dallas Cowboys have strengthened their defensive line by acquiring edge rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers in a trade for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick. The deal, reported, comes after the Cowboys failed to secure Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
Failed pursuit of Maxx Crosby leads to Rashan Gary acquisition
Dallas Cowboys pursued Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby aggressively, offering the 12th overall pick in 2026, a 2027 second-rounder, and a veteran player. Crosby ultimately landed with the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks. Turning to Plan B, the Cowboys landed Gary in a low-cost move that adds proven pass-rush talent without major draft capital.
Contract details and cap implications
Rashan Gary, signed to a four-year, $96 million extension in 2023, is due $18 million in base salary this year unless reworked. The move clears nearly $11 million in salary cap space for the Green Bay Packers in 2026. For the Dallas Cowboys, adding Gary strengthens their edge group as they navigate free agency and the draft.
Rashan Gary’s performance and role shift
A 2019 first-round pick, Rashan Gary has 46.5 career sacks, ranking sixth in Green Bay Packers history since 1982. He started strong last season with 7.5 sacks in the first seven games, but finished without another sack despite playing every game except the finale.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst commented earlier this offseason: “I thought he started out really, really strong. He obviously had a lot of production early. I think he ended up with sixty-some pressures, 7.5 sacks. That’s pretty good production in the National Football League. I did think towards the end of the year, he wasn’t as productive as he was the beginning.”
Gary’s snap counts have hovered around 50-60% in recent years. Coach Matt LaFleur noted last season: “He’s never been a huge snap count guy, if you look at the course of his career.”
Impact on both teams moving forward
For the Green Bay Packers, losing Rashan Gary creates depth concerns at defensive end, especially with Micah Parsons sidelined early due to ACL recovery and Kingsley Enagbare hitting free agency. New coordinator Jonathan Gannon will start the season with two new starting ends.
The Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, stay active in the pass-rush market. Jadeveon Clowney, last year’s sack leader with 8.5, remains a free agent, though fit questions linger under new coordinator Christian Parker. Rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku will miss most offseason work due to hip surgery.
