The Cowboys have made a major defensive move. Jerry Jones secured help via a surprise trade instead of free agency, shaking up the team's offseason plans.   

The Dallas Cowboys have acquired Rashan Gary, a defensive end/ edge from the Green Bay Packers. In return, the Packers will receive a fourth-round draft pick in 2027. 

Gary, who was with Michas Parsons on the Packers, will make his way to Dallas and the AT&T Stadium this fall. From teammates to rivals! 

The addition of Rashan Gary provides much-needed help to the Dallas pass rush.

Gary will enter his eighth NFL season. Having spent the previous seven years with the Packers. The pass rusher played his college football for the Michigan Wolverines. In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Packers drafted Gary as their 12th overall pick. 

Gary has had 46.5 sacks over his career in the NFL. In the 2025 season alone, Gary put up 45 total tackles, of which 25 were solo. Gary also had 7.5 sacks in the season. The pass rusher also had 20 quarterback hits, seven tackles for a loss, and one forced fumble. 

Rashan Gary earned Pro Bowl honors in the 2024 NFL season. While the deal has been struck between the two teams, it only becomes official when the new league year starts on March 11.

Rashan Gary looks like a good fit for Dallas

The move feels familiar due to several connections between Gary and the Dallas coaching staff.

Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark will reunite as teammates. Clark was part of the package that the Packers sent for pass rusher Micah Parsons. 

Current Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker served on the Packers coaching staff as the defensive quality control coach when they drafted Gary in 2019.

Additionally, the Cowboys' defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach, Derrick Ansley, was with Gary and the Packers in 2024 and 2025. 

The coaching staff's prior experience with Gary provides them with clear insight into his capabilities. There is still a long way to go to get that defense where it should be, but this is a start.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi