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The Dallas Cowboys have kicked off the NFL’s opening day of free agency with a blockbuster trade, sending a 2027 4th round pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for edge rusher and former 1st round pick Rashan Gary.
“Trade: the Green Bay Packers are finalizing a deal that would send DT Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a late-round 2027 draft pick, per ESPN sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on Monday morning. “New Cowboys’ DC Christian Parker was in Green Bay as a defensive quality control coach when Rashan Gary was drafted in 2019.”
Gary, 6-foot-5 and 277 pounds, was the No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft and earned his lone Pro Bowl selection in 2024. He’s had at least 7.5 sacks each of the last 3 seasons. On Friday, he posted and then deleted a “goodbye” post to the Packers on his Instagram account.
“This is a big piece,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on Monday. ” … the Green Bay Packers and Cowboys were in talks the last 24 hours, figuring out the right price for the Cowboys to get a big-time pass rusher. He certainly didn’t play up to his capabilities last year. The Cowboys continue to buy low ahead of free agency, just like they did last year. They’ve been in the edge market trying to sign 1 … and I wouldn’t be surprised, actually, if they sign 2 edge rushers.”
Gary has struggled to live up to expectations after he signed a 4-year, $96 million contract extension in October 2023 — midway through a season in which he had a career-high 9.0 sacks. He’s due to make $19.5 million in 2026 and $22.5 million in 2027, and it’s likely the Cowboys will try to get him to restructure his contract to free up more salary cap space.
Cowboys-Packers Link Up For 2nd Blockbuster Trade
For the 2nd year in a row, the Cowboys and Packers have connected for a blockbuster trade involving an elite edge rusher.
In August 2025, the Packers traded their 2026 and 2027 1st round picks along with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to the Cowboys in exchange for NFL All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons.
The writing has been on the wall for Gary since that day, with the Packers signing Parsons to a 4-year, $188 million contract extension the day of the trade.
ESPN Sources:” Cowboys are trading three-time All-Pro LB Micah Packers to the Green Bay Packers,” Schefter wrote on his official X account on August 28. “Parsons and the Packers already have reached agreement on a four-year, $188 million contract. David Mulugheta of Athletes First had a hand in the trade and ultimately negotiating the record-breaking contract that includes $120 million fully guaranteed at signing and makes Parsons the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.”
Cowboys Still Have 2 1st Round Picks in NFL Draft
The player the Cowboys really wanted was Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who wound up with the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for 2 1st round picks.
“Cowboys give up their 2027 fourth-round pick for Rashan Gary,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote on his official X account. “Unable to land Maxx Crosby, Cowboys get a proven pass rusher for Day 3 pick.”
Now, the Cowboys still have 2 1st round picks in the 2026 NFL draft at No. 12 and No. 20 overall. Those picks have long been pegged as both being used on defensive players — with Gary now in the fold they might be able to do something more creative with the No. 12 overall pick, like possibly use it on Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
