On Monday, the Green Bay Packers traded defensive tackle Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a late-round 2027 draft pick, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Gary started 16 games for the Packers last season and recorded 7.5 sacks.
In the previous season, Gary started in all 18 of the Packers’ games. He tallied 47 tackles, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass deflection. For his efforts, he received the first Pro Bowl nod of his career.
The Green Bay Packers selected Gary with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. In 2023, Gary agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Packers worth up to $107 million. Before the trade was announced, Gary made a goodbye post on his social media yesterday before quickly deleting it.
“When I got the call in 2019, it was one of the greatest moments of my life, and it always will be,” Gary wrote. “The opportunity to represent Green Bay and Packers Nation across the country and around the world is something I will never forget.
“Like all chapters in life, this one has come to an end. I want to thank everyone who supported me and my family throughout the years. The love, the energy, and the memories mean more than words can explain. On to my next stop nowhere near done yet.”
The Cowboys were also interested in trading for star defensive end Maxx Crosby. However, the organization was unwilling to give up two first-round picks and the Baltimore Ravens ultimately landed the two-time All-Pro.
Rashan Gary will help fill the hole left by Micah Parsons‘ departure last season. The Cowboys’ defense allowed 377.0 yards per game last season, the third most in the NFL. Moreover, the team recorded just 35 sacks.
Gary is expected to help Dallas’ defense put greater pressure on its opponents next season. The Cowboys are entering their second year under head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
He led the Cowboys to a 7-9-1 record last season. The team narrowly missed out on a playoffs appearance. Schottenheimer revamped his defensive staff this offseason and is confident in the group moving forward.
“It’s been great for me this week to sit here in the mornings with those guys and listen to those guys talk about scheme and start to get the language right,” Schottenheimer said. “They’ve really become really close, fast, and I think that’s why we know we got the right group of guys.”