The Green Bay Packers have a bit of work to do on their roster in order to get under the 2026 NFL salary cap. As it stands, they are several million dollars over the cap, but do have the ability to free up some space by the time the new league year begins.
Some contracts of current players can be reworked to lower their cap hits. However, there are other players who will see themselves released as Green Bay can save even more money by cutting ties with them. In most of these cases, under-performing and inconsistency also play a role in the organization’s final decision.
Rashan Gary, for example, is one player who many expect to be released for multiple reasons.
No one should be surprised if the Green Bay Packers release Rashan Gary
Sep 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary (52) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
In a recent article published by Bleacher Report, Gary was listed as a “shocking” possible roster cut:
“Micah Parsons is the guy now in Green Bay, and assuming he recovers from his torn ACL this offseason, the team could opt to give more support snaps on the edge to Kingsley Enagbare and Lukas Van Ness. Gary is coming off back-to-back “meh” 7.5-sack campaigns.
“The 28-year-old is owed more than $28 million for 2026, and the Packers have very limited cap flexibility. They can save nearly $11 million by releasing the former first-round pick.
“Gary is no longer a top priority and could be released if the team can’t work out a favorable restructure.”
The problem with listing Gary’s possible release as “shocking” is spelled out in the description above. Green Bay can save $11 million by releasing him, and for a team that is where it is in terms of the salary cap, that is as close to a no-brainer as could be.
But even beyond the money, Gary disappeared list dust in the wind in the second half of the season. After racking up 7.5 sacks in the first seven games, he had none the rest of the way. But what makes that stat even worse is that he was frequently seen pulling up short as he pursued quarterbacks, letting other players continue the pursuit.
There is close to no doubt that the Packers are going to release Gary this off-season. What that decision will not be, though, is shocking.
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