The Green Bay organization has moved outside linebacker Rashan Gary to the Dallas franchise, a transaction officially acknowledged by the team on Wednesday as the new league calendar commenced. As compensation, Green Bay is slated to acquire a future fourth-round selection in the draft.
Green Bay selected Gary from the University of Michigan as the twelfth overall choice in 2019. He accumulated 46.5 quarterback takedowns across the last seven campaigns, notably earning a Pro Bowl appearance in 2024.
Rumors that the Packers might separate from him started circulating after he published a farewell post directed at the team last Friday, occurring three days prior to the emergence of news regarding his transfer to the Cowboys.
“Receiving that phone call in 2019 represented one of the most significant instants of my existence, and it will forever remain so,” Gary appeared to share on Instagram during that period.
“The privilege of standing for Green Bay and the wider Packers fan base throughout the nation and globally is an experience I shall always cherish. Similar to other episodes in life, this particular one has reached its conclusion.”
That specific communication was promptly removed, and numerous reports subsequently indicated that Gary’s Instagram account had been compromised.
Nevertheless, Gary is reportedly en route to Dallas, where the athlete, aged 28, is set to continue his professional football journey. He just completed his second straight year with 7.5 quarterback takedowns, and he also concluded the 2025 season with 45 stops, forcing one fumble and recovering another across 16 matchups.
The edge rushing role has constituted an area requiring reinforcement for the Cowboys ever since they sent Micah Parsons to the Packers in August of last year.
Concerning the Packers, they have been actively involved in transactions — this past Saturday, they reportedly finalized an agreement for a trade with the Indianapolis Colts that will see linebacker Zaire Franklin join Green Bay.
Franklin, who topped the National Football League in total tackles during 2024 but will reach the age of 30 prior to the commencement of the upcoming season, is slated to play alongside 24-year-old Edgerrin Cooper at the inside linebacker position. Together with Isaiah McDuffie, this trio will aid in strengthening a defensive unit now overseen by former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon.
While Gary earned a Pro Bowl selection two years prior, his most impressive statistical performance occurred in 2021, when he recorded 9.5 sacks and, as per Pro Football Focus, generated 81 pressures, marking career-best figures for both.
During the 2022 season, Gary suffered an ACL tear in a Week 9 defeat against the Detroit Lions; nevertheless, he recovered strongly in 2023, achieving 9 sacks, forcing 2 fumbles, and, according to PFF, accumulating 60 pressures. Throughout this period, he inked a four-year contract extension, reportedly valued at $107 million.
In Gary’s absence, it is anticipated that the Packers will ultimately depend on Parsons and Lukas Van Ness for their edge rush responsibilities within Gannon’s defensive scheme. It should be noted, however, that Parsons is currently rehabilitating from an ACL injury.
