The Green Bay Packers are going to have some tough (and not so tough) decisions to make regarding their roster. There are players that will become free agents at the start of the new league year, and many of them will not be brought back for any number of reasons. There are also players under contract for 2026 that will not return for salary cap reasons.
Two players that have been identified by many as likely candidates who will not return next season are Rashan Gary and Elgton Jenkins. Both carry immense cap hits into 2026, and neither performed up to expectations in 2025. Jenkins, of course, was lost to injury halfway through the season, but had not necessarily played as well at center as the team likely envisioned.
Both have been listed by Bleacher Report as Green Bay’s top two trade candidates, but it would not make sense for any NFL team to give up anything for them.
The Green Bay Packers likely will not trade Rashan Gary or Elgton Jenkins
Nov 28, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (90) and defensive lineman Rashan Gary (52) sack Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
In a recent article in which he lists the top three trade assets on every NFL team, Alex Ballentine named Gary, Jenkins, and Lukas Van Ness as Green Bay’s most tradable players:
“Parsons ACL injury does mean the Packers could use additional depth early in the 2026 season. However, Rashan Gary could still find himself in trade talks. Trading him would create $11 million in cap space and his production has not matched his lofty price tag.
“That being said, he plays a premium position, and there could be teams out there who would make a bet on him improving their own pass rush.
“If the Packers feel like they need Gary to carry them through whatever time Parsons misses next season, then Luka Van Ness could be a tradeable asset. The 24-year-old has not lived up to expectations over the first three seasons of his career, but he still has the draft pedigree of a first-rounder.
“Offensive line help is always in demand. Elgton Jenkins is set to carry a cap hit of $24.3 million, which doesn’t match up with his move to center this season. Jenkins’ versatility could make him appealing to many teams, and the Packers would save $19.5 million in cap space by trading him.”
The problem with Ballentine’s suggestion of Gary and Jenkins being trade assets for the Packers is that their cap hits are so immense, no NFL would take them on as is. Indeed, Gary is going to have a cap hit $28 million next season. And while the Packers would gladly save $11 million by trading him, very few teams are going to want to take on the $17 million hit they would get for a pass rusher who had 7.5 sacks last season (and none after late October).
The same is true for Jenkins, whose trade or release would save the Packers nearly $20 million. No NFL team is going to want to take on his immense salary after his injury in 2025 and based on the fact he is over 30 years old.
Furthermore, it is fairly well known that Gary and Jenkins are potential salary cap casualties. Why would any NFL team give up draft picks for them when they could instead pick them up for a discount after they get released?
And as far as trading Van Ness, Green Bay is not going to trade a player that is still playing on his rookie contract. It simply is not how they do business.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at@theotherRobin19 and follow us@WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,click here!