The Dallas Cowboys addressed a major need hours before the NFL's legal tampering period got underway by trading for Green Bay Packers pass rusher Rashan Gary.
Reports confirmed that Dallas nearly acquired Maxx Crosby before the Baltimore Ravens offered two first-round picks for the five-time Pro Bowler. Given the gap in talent between Crosby and Gary, it stands to reason that the Cowboys are still on the prowl for pass rushers.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Cowboys are sending a 2027 fourth-round pick to Green Bay. They undoubtedly overpaid, as Gary, who has no guaranteed money left on his contract, was widely circled as a possible cut candidate this offseason.
The Packers may have accepted anything for Gary, but trading a Day 3 pick for a proven pass rusher is hardly bad business. It's a necessary gamble, and it'll look significantly better once Dallas reworks Gary's deal.
The Dallas Cowboys slightly overpaid for Rashan Gary, and that's totally fine
Whether Gary agrees to take a pay cut -- similar to Terence Steele -- he is going to become a lot cheaper soon.
ESPN's Todd Archer has already reported that the Cowboys will restructure his contract. They would not have made the trade without that stipulation, and it cannot be overstated that he has zero guaranteed money left.
Acquiring a quality edge rusher on a friendly contract is a reasonable move, which likely explains the fourth-round price tag. Could the Cowboys have held out for a later pick? Probably, but Gary is far better than whoever they would have drafted with that selection.
And the door is now wide open for the team to get Gary at a price that matches his current value while decreasing his 2026 cap number.
Rival fans and the media will get their jokes off that Dallas surrendered a Round 4 pick for a player who may (emphasis on may) have been cut, but once you peel back the layers, you'll realize this is a very solid trade.
That’s why it’s important not to take everything at face value, but people will look for any reason to mock whatever the Cowboys do. This trade is going to look a lot better for Dallas once the financials are sorted.