Rashan Gary #52 of the Green Bay Packers anticipates a play during a game against the Dallas Cowboys
Getty
Rashan Gary #52 of the Green Bay Packers anticipates a play during a game against the Dallas Cowboys
It was pretty much known in Green Bay that new Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Rashan Gary would be let go in this offseason, as his contract had gotten too weighty for the Packers to carry into the 2026 season. The Cowboys might have waited until Gary was released to acquire him, but on Monday, rather than subject themselves to the vicissitudes of the free-agent market, they coughed up a 2027 fourth-round pick to guarantee they got Gary to Dallas.
No doubt, fans had higher hopes for the Cowboys at the edge rusher spot, as a week ago, it appeared they were on the brink of landing either Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson, two of the most productive sack-masters of the past five seasons. Instead, they get Gary, who appeared to struggle down the stretch of the 2025 season and will need a career reset as he comes to The Star.
Still, Gary has shown himself to be a productive edge in the past, and the hope is that getting him around some familiar faces will reignite that production.
Rashan Gary Opens Up on Trade to Cowboys
Gary, for the first time, did a brief interview with the Cowboys website on Wednesday. He’s certain to have a wider media session later, but he started by noting that the whole process of the past week has been emotional.
Gary had been a first-round draft pick of the Packers, No. 12 overall, in 2019 and had a breakout year with 9.5 sacks in 2021. He had 6.0 sacks when he tore his ACL in 2022, just nine games into the season. In being traded to Dallas, Gary was leaving behind seven seasons in Green Bay.
Said Gary: “When I got the call, my emotions — they were everywhere. It’s sort of surreal, at the same time, just understanding the connections that I have here with the coaching staff, just made it feel like my second home, especially with my family being here. And it was just a great experience.”
Rashan Gary Reuniting With Kenny Clark, Christian Parker
Among the connections are new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who was the defensive quality control coach for the Packers in Gary’s first two seasons. There’s also new pass-rush coach Brandon Jordan, as well as Gary’s old defensive linemate, Kenny Clark.
“Yeah, there’s just this whole experience and everything the Cowboys organization is putting together — I’m happy to be a part of it,” Gary said. “I’m happy to be a part of the start of some change, in the right way. And the guys that you named, and especially being able to come back and play with a guy that I know, and just his work ethic and what the game of football means to KC, it means the same to me.
“So, I just can’t wait to go to work and show the Cowboys Nation what I’m all about.”
Kenny Clark #95 of the Dallas Cowboys
GettyKenny Clark #95 of the Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Defense Undergoing Major Changes
He will be working in a much different Cowboys defense, which is comforting for Cowboys fans because last season, the team was the worst in the league on that side of the ball. While there are more upgrades needed, the team has focused on getting better defensively, with Gary, safety Jalen Thompson and fellow safety PJ Locke being their top additions.
Parker will be running a base 3-4 defense, with multiple looks. The Cowboys traded two players on Wednesday–linemen Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas–because they’re deemed too light to play in this defense. But it should suit Gary.
“I am excited being able to being able to have multiple fronts and being able to be part of multiple fronts, and being an impact,” he said. “But something I am comfortable in and, like I said, I can’t wait to get to work.”