Cowboys Acquire Rashan Gary for 2027 Fourth-Round Pick in Trade with Packers

The Dallas Cowboys finalized a deal for Green Bay Packers pass rusher Rashan Gary in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round draft selection.

The Dallas Cowboys have officially acquired defensive lineman Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick. This Rashan Gary trade comes after Dallas failed to secure Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders, despite offering a 2026 12th overall pick, a 2027 second-round selection, and an unnamed veteran player. Gary, who is currently playing under a four-year, $96 million contract signed in 2023, is scheduled to earn $18 million this season. For Green Bay, the transaction clears approximately $11 million in salary-cap space for the current year while moving a player who ranks No. 6 in franchise history with 46.5 career sacks.

Statistically, Gary’s performance last season was a tale of two halves. He recorded 7.5 sacks and over 60 pressures during the first seven games of the schedule but failed to register a single sack for the remainder of the year. Despite appearing in every contest except the regular-season finale—where coach Matt LaFleur opted to rest starters for the postseason—Gary’s usage remained limited. He participated in only 58.3% of defensive snaps last year, a trend consistent with his 52.8% and 58.6% snap rates in 2023 and 2024. General manager Brian Gutekunst noted that while the early production was strong, the defender's impact diminished as the season progressed.

Defensive Roster Shifts in Dallas and Green Bay

This acquisition marks the second time in a year that Dallas has traded for a Green Bay defensive lineman. Prior to last season, the Cowboys sent Micah Parsons to the Packers in exchange for Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. The current defensive unit in Dallas is facing several personnel hurdles, including the recovery of Donovan Ezeiruaku. The former second-round pick is expected to miss the majority of the offseason program following hip surgery. Additionally, last year’s sack leader Jadeveon Clowney, who produced 8.5 sacks, is entering free agency with uncertainty regarding his fit under new coordinator Christian Parker.

In Green Bay, the departure of Gary creates immediate depth concerns at defensive end. The Packers are already bracing for the absence of Micah Parsons, who is projected to miss the first month of the upcoming season due to a torn ACL. With Kingsley Enagbare also hitting free agency, new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is set to begin the season with two entirely new starters at the edge positions. Coach LaFleur has previously commented on Gary’s historical usage, noting he has never been a high-volume snap count player throughout his professional career.

Financial Implications and Trade Background

The financial structure of Gary's deal remains a focal point for the Cowboys, as he is signed through the 2027 season. Unless the front office re-works the existing terms, the $18 million salary will hit the Dallas books immediately. This move follows a period of intense speculation; last Friday, Gary’s Instagram account featured a farewell message that was deleted shortly after posting. While a source initially claimed the account was hacked, the trade was finalized shortly thereafter.

Dallas remains open to further additions in the pass-rushing market through the draft or free agency, though likely at a lower price point following this move. The Raiders, who declined the Cowboys' substantial offer for Crosby, eventually traded that pass rusher to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks. By opting for Gary, the Cowboys have secured a veteran presence who provided significant early-season pressure before his production tapered off in the latter half of the previous campaign. Since sacks became an official NFL statistic in 1982, Gary's 46.5 sacks stand as one of the highest totals in Packers history, highlighting the significant production Green Bay is moving on from to gain cap flexibility.