GREEN BAY, Wis. — It appears that Rashan Gary, a former first-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers, has been informed of his release from the team.
While the move has yet to be made official, the 28-year-old pass rusher from Michigan bid farewell to the team in a sentimental Instagram post on Friday.
"When I got the call in 2019, it was one of the greatest moments of my life, and it always will be," Gary wrote in a statement. "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. All 6'5, 275... can't wait."
Rashan Gary says farewell to the Packers. He’s expected to be released. pic.twitter.com/tWNHiesiVF
— zach jacobson (@zacobson) March 6, 2026
The Packers have spent the last few weeks shopping Gary around the league, hoping to find a partner to tango with and, ideally, facilitate a trade. Their efforts have been futile and Gary, who has since deleted the Instagram post, is still expected to be released.
The writing has been on the wall for Gary for quite some time and the widespread belief was that he would ultimately be a cap casualty for the Packers this offseason. With a base salary of $18 million dollars in 2026, Gary was due a total amount of $19.5 million dollars had he remained on the roster. The Packers will save just south of $11 million dollars with his release, but they'll presumably designate him as a post-June 1 cut, allowing them to recoup the full $19.5. million dollars in savings.
Gary would've been entering the final year of the four-year deal he signed with the Packers in October 2023 that was worth $107.5 million dollars. Instead, the Packers grant his release just days before the start of the free-agency period, allowing Gary to cash in on the open market.
After arriving to Green Bay as the No. 12 overall selection in 2019, Gary joined a platoon of pass rushers that had just been bolstered by free-agent acquisitions Za'Darius and Preston Smith a month prior. Gary, who was perceived as a project coming out of college, didn't have any urgency to perform and produce immediately. He'd gradually see the field more and more over the coming years before starting 16 games in 2021 and registering 9.5 sacks, a number that still stands today as his single-season high.
Rashan Gary was one of seven season captains for the Packers in 2025. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Gary was lost to a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in a game against the Detroit Lions in 2022, but was able to rehabilitate in time for the following season. Since returning, he's played in 50 of a possible 51 regular-season contests for the Packers. Across a seven-year career in Green Bay, Gary has accumulated 46.5 sacks, 271 tackles—46 for a loss of yards—and 111 hits on the quarterback.
The Packers stunned the league with a blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons this past summer, pairing him with Gary and Lukas Van Ness, another former first-round pick. The move was expected to be a godsend for Gary and co., and for the most part, it was; Gary had 7.5 sacks and 26 pressures through the first seven games of the regular season.
Inexplicably, however, Gary would never sack the opposing quarterback for the Packers again. Across the last 10 games of the season, including the Packers' Wild Card loss to the Chicago Bears, Gary had 34 pressures without a single sack. There were also multiple occasions where Gary's effort—specifically in pursuing the quarterback on broken plays—was called into question.
With Gary's release, the Packers could have a little more flexibility to potentially retain one of their pending unrestricted free agents, or perhaps keep someone in the fold who was expected to be a cap casualty. No. 2 quarterback Malik Willis, linebacker Quay Walker, offensive lineman Sean Rhyan and wide receiver Romeo Doubs headline the team's list of departing players. They're among the bunch who will enter unrestricted free agency at the start of the new league year on March 11.
Zachary Jacobson is the Editor-in-Chief of Packer Report. He is entering his 12th season covering theGreen Bay Packers. He is a member of thePro Football Writers of America. Follow him on Twitter@zacobson or contact him via email atitszachariahj@gmail.com