Green Bay Packers Risk Costly Roster Mistake by Sticking With Rashan Gary in 2026

The Green Bay Packers could be setting themselves up for a significant roster mistake heading into the 2026 NFL season. Recent comments from general manager Brian Gutekunst about veteran pass rusher Rashan Gary have sparked concern among analysts and fans, raising questions about the team’s long-term defensive strategy, salary cap management, and championship aspirations.

While the Packers remain one of the most stable franchises in the NFL, their handling of Gary’s future could become a defining decision for the front office this offseason. With rising cap hits, declining production late in the 2025 season, and clear roster needs elsewhere, Green Bay’s loyalty to the veteran defender may come at a steep price.

Brian Gutekunst’s Honest Assessment of Rashan Gary

In a candid evaluation shared through team channels, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged both the strengths and struggles of Rashan Gary’s recent performance. According to Gutekunst, Gary started the 2025 season with strong production but failed to maintain that momentum through the final stretch.

Gutekunst explained that Gary showed “a lot of production early” but admitted that the pass rusher “wasn’t as productive” toward the end of the year. He also emphasized that both the player and the organization would need to evaluate how to maintain consistent performance from start to finish in future seasons.

While the comments may seem balanced on the surface, they strongly suggest that the Packers are preparing to keep Gary on the roster rather than moving on. For many fans and analysts, this approach raises serious concerns about the team’s financial flexibility and defensive efficiency heading into 2026.

Rashan Gary’s Declining Production Raises Red Flags

Rashan Gary began the 2025 NFL season as a key defensive contributor for Green Bay. During the first two months, he generated consistent pressure and appeared to be on track for one of the best seasons of his career. However, his performance declined dramatically as the season progressed.

Over the final stretch of the season, Gary started 10 consecutive games without recording a single sack. For a player occupying a premium pass-rushing role and carrying one of the largest cap hits on the roster, this lack of late-season production is difficult to ignore.

Gary finished the year with 7.5 sacks, a respectable number on paper but far below expectations given his salary and role. Even more concerning is that his performance dropped off precisely when the Packers needed defensive consistency the most—during the playoff push and critical late-season matchups.

Massive Cap Hit Complicates Packers’ Decision

One of the biggest issues facing the Packers is Gary’s significant salary cap impact. In 2026, he carries a cap hit of approximately $25.7 million, making him one of the most expensive defensive players on the roster.

If Green Bay were to release Gary after June 1, the team could reportedly save around $19.5 million in cap space. That financial flexibility could be used to address other roster needs, including improvements to the secondary, offensive line depth, and defensive rotation.

Instead, current signals from the front office suggest the Packers are prepared to keep Gary despite his declining production and rising cost. This decision could limit Green Bay’s ability to make meaningful upgrades across the roster and potentially hinder their ability to compete with top NFC contenders.

Defensive Strategy and Micah Parsons Factor

Another major concern revolves around the Packers’ pass-rushing strategy. With star pass rusher Micah Parsons expected to be the centerpiece of the defense, Green Bay must build a complementary edge presence capable of consistent pressure.

If the team continues paying top-tier money for Gary without receiving top-tier production, the defensive line could become unbalanced financially and strategically. Investing heavily in one underperforming pass rusher reduces resources available for strengthening other defensive positions.

Analysts argue that Green Bay could find comparable or better production at a lower cost through free agency, trades, or the NFL Draft. A younger, more affordable edge rusher could provide similar sack totals while allowing the team to allocate remaining cap space toward improving the roster elsewhere.

Potential Contract Restructure as a Compromise

If the Packers are determined to keep Gary for the 2026 season, a contract restructure may be the most practical solution. With two years remaining on his current deal, the team could explore adding void years or adjusting guaranteed money to reduce his immediate cap hit.

A restructured contract would make Gary’s presence more financially manageable while giving him an opportunity to prove he can return to elite pass-rushing form. However, this approach carries its own risks, as pushing cap obligations into future seasons can create long-term financial challenges.

Still, for a team hoping to remain competitive while maintaining roster flexibility, restructuring may be the only viable middle ground between releasing Gary and keeping his current contract unchanged.

Packers’ Loyalty Could Backfire

The Packers have long been known for organizational stability and loyalty to core players. While this approach has helped build a strong culture in Green Bay, it can also lead to difficult decisions when performance declines.

Sticking with Rashan Gary despite clear financial and production concerns could ultimately backfire. If his performance does not rebound in 2026, the team may find itself paying premium money for limited impact while missing opportunities to upgrade critical positions.

Moreover, maintaining an expensive but inconsistent pass rusher could slow the team’s defensive evolution at a time when NFC competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles continue to invest heavily in dynamic defensive fronts, raising the standard across the conference.

Why the Packers Must Act Carefully

The Packers are entering a pivotal offseason that will shape their competitive trajectory for years to come. Every major contract decision—including Rashan Gary’s future—must align with the team’s broader goal of returning to Super Bowl contention.

If Green Bay believes Gary can return to early-season form and deliver consistent production, keeping him could prove worthwhile. However, if his late-season struggles represent a longer-term decline, the organization risks committing valuable resources to diminishing returns.

The smartest approach may involve a detailed evaluation of Gary’s performance trends, health, and fit within the evolving defensive scheme. From there, the Packers must decide whether loyalty, financial flexibility, or roster improvement should take priority.

Final Thoughts: A Defining Offseason Decision

The Green Bay Packers are walking a fine line between stability and stagnation. Their decision regarding Rashan Gary will send a strong message about how aggressively they plan to pursue improvement in 2026 and beyond.

Keeping Gary without adjustment could strain the salary cap and limit roster upgrades. Releasing him would free up significant space but create a need for immediate defensive reinforcements. A contract restructure offers compromise but pushes financial risk into the future.

Whatever path the Packers choose, the stakes are clear. This offseason isn’t just about one player—it’s about whether Green Bay is willing to make difficult decisions in pursuit of championship contention.