Green Bay Packers agree to trade star defender to the Dallas Cowboys… just days after he posted farewell message and claimed he was hacked
The Green Bay Packers are trading defensive end Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys, according to reports.
Just days after he posted-and-deleted a farewell message on Instagram, before claiming his account was hacked, Green Bay has agreed to send Gary to Dallas in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick, The Athletic claims.
The 28-year-old’s departure will free up about $11million in cap space for the Packers this year, roughly 18 months since they handed him a four-year, $96m extension during the 2023 season.
He still had two seasons remaining on that deal, with his $28m cap number the second-highest on the team behind starting quarterback Jordan Love.
Following his seventh year with the Packers, which saw him go without a sack from Week 10 through to 18, Gary stunned fans last week when a bombshell exit announcement was posted on his Instagram account.
The now-deleted statement read on Friday: ‘Green Bay – When I got the call in 2019, it was one of the greatest moments of my life, and it always will be,’ Gary wrote. ‘The opportunity to represent Green Bay and Packers Nation across the country and around the world is something I will never forget.
The Green Bay Packers are trading defensive end Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys
Gary, who just wrapped up his seventh season in Green Bay, said his social-media account was hacked after he posted and then deleted a farewell message Friday
‘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.’
After he quickly took the post down, ESPN Green Bay reporter Rob Demovsky claimed that Gary had not been told he was being released or traded and that his Instagram was simply hacked.
Yet just three days later, it has been revealed that the 2024 Pro Bowler is on his way to Dallas.
Gary is the 13th highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL, but only ranked 39th in pressure percentage among players with at least 100 pass-rush snaps between Weeks 10 and 18.
As well as going without a sack, he also failed to register a tackle for loss in that span.
In the first eight weeks of the season, Gary ranked fifth in the NFL with 7.5 sacks and was tied for 11th with seven tackles for loss.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has defended him in the offseason, saying at last month’s NFL Combine: ’60 pressures, 7.5 sacks, that’s tough to replace. So he’s on our roster, and I expect him to play at that level or higher if he’s back next year, and we’ll see how that goes.’
The Cowboys were heavily linked with a move for Maxx Crosby earlier in the offseason
The Cowboys have been in need of pass-rushing help this offseason, and Gary has previously worked alongside defensive coordinator Christian Parker – who served as defensive quality control coach in Green Bay from 2019-20.
Before he secured a move to the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas made a serious attempt to sign Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders, but ultimately decided against giving up two first-round picks to get him.
Gary had spent the entirety of his NFL career with the Packers after being selected with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 Draft.
In a total of 106 appearances and 74 starts he has recorded 271 tackles for the team, as well as 46.5 sacks.
