Kurt: Just last week in this space we answered a question about if the Cowboys had learned their lesson and were doing things differently. I think this move for Gary only adds fuel to the fire that the team is indeed trying to change its ways.
Drafted in 2019 by the Packers, he became a full-time starter in 2021. In the five years since, Gary is one of only 13 players in the NFL with at least 35 sacks and 95 quarterback hits, totaling 39.5 and 97, respectively. That puts him in pretty good company. And among that group, he also ranks ninth with 215 tackles overall.
Also consider that new defensive coordinator Christian Parker is switching to a 3-4 base scheme, which is what the Packers also used over Gary’s first five seasons before Green Bay switched to a 4-3 in 2024. That includes in 2019-20 when Parker was with the Packers as a quality control coach, so he and Gary are already familiar with one another.
Now, that fourth-round pick has some people nervous, considering the last two times the Cowboys have traded away a fourth, the returns didn’t pay huge dividends, or really any dividends for that matter (Trey Lance in 2023 and Jonathan Mingo in 2024). But it’s a 2027 selection this time around, so Dallas is getting a player immediately who has a proven track record instead of a complete unknown a year from now. For a team in a hurry to turn things around, that seems like a no-brainer to me.
So yes, I think this is a good deal for the Cowboys. They’ve got a player who is only 28 years old, has a contract they can restructure, is familiar with Parker and his 3-4 alignment and already owns a solid résumé.
For a team that desperately needs to improve its defense, Gary undoubtedly checks a lot of the right boxes.