Dallas Cowboys finalizing trade for Pro Bowl defensive end Rashan Gary
The Dallas Cowboys are finalizing a trade with the Green Bay Packers (stop me if you’ve heard that one before) to send a 2027 fourth-round pick in exchange for defensive end Rashan Gary, a team source has confirmed. NFL Network was first to report the deal.
Gary, who has spent all seven of his NFL seasons with the Packers, was dealt as Green Bay shopped him around in recent days. The Cowboys were in on the Maxx Crosby negotiations late last week, but they were forced to pivot once he was sent to the Baltimore Ravens. The next move was to connect with Green Bay on Sunday night, as a deal was worked through in the late hours and worked toward finalizing on Monday morning.
Two years remain on Gary’s contract, but he does not have any remaining guaranteed salary. This indicates that Dallas will work out a restructured contract with Gary to keep him in Dallas long-term at a cheaper price than his current deal. In 2023, he signed a four-year deal worth $96 million, but the guarantees on the contract have already been paid out.
New defensive coordinator Christian Parker was a defensive quality control analyst with the Packers when Gary was drafted by the organization in 2019 and was a big part of the discussion to acquire the Michigan product. In seven seasons, Gary has totaled 46.5 sacks, 46 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles since being drafted No. 12 overall in 2019. He made the Pro Bowl in 2024 after totaling 9.5 sacks. Gary also has experience with Cowboys passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley and pass rush specialist Brandon Jordan. He will reunite with defensive tackle Kenny Clark on the Cowboys roster after the two spent six seasons together in Green Bay.
The fourth-round pick sent to Green Bay is the second draft selection in 2027 to be moved in a trade by the Cowboys. They sent one of their two first-round picks to the New York Jets in exchange for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams before last year’s trade deadline.
Originally from New Jersey, Gary was the No. 1 overall high school recruit in the class of 2016. He is the second top recruit to come through the Cowboys’ organization, joining defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
This story will be updated.
This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 8:59 AM.
