Could the Packers Restructure Rashan Gary’s Contract?
Releasing Rashan Gary is not a foregone conclusion.
By markoldacres
Most people, including myself, have assumed Rashan Gary will not be a Packer in 2026.
He is coming off a disappointing season in which he did not have a sack in the final 10 games, and is set to count $28m against the cap this year on his current contract. It goes without saying he will play for Green Bay at that number, especially as the team is currently over the salary cap.
But it is not a foregone conclusion that the resolution to this issue is a release. You do not have to look too far back to see how a similar example played out.
Preston Smith had a disappointing 2020 season, which was his second year in Green Bay, putting up only 29 pressures and five sacks (using PFFs numbers which count half sacks as full ones) following a strong first season where he had 62 pressures and 15 sacks.
He was set to turn 29 during the 2021 season, but rather than releasing Smith, the Packers signed him to an extension which basically functioned as a restructure, cutting down his base salary to help ease Green Bay’s cap issues.
The deal also gave him the chance to regain the lost earnings via incentives, and Smith bounced back, racking up 63 pressures and nine sacks in 2021. He signed another extension the following season which was a reward for his efforts. It was a win-win situation.
Gary is in a similar place right now. He turns 29 at the end of the year and his stock has fallen. He knows he will not get $28m from anyone else if the Packers release him. He may be open to a solution which allows him to stay in Green Bay.
From the Packers’ side, Gary had a disappointing season by his previous standards, but it was still quite a bit better than what Smith did back in 2020 before they agreed to a restructure with him.
Gary had 60 pressures and seven sacks in 2025. His production early in the year was pretty solid. He was also a team captain so is clearly a valued member of the locker room.
Lukas Van Ness showed signs of breaking out last season, and they have young pass rushers in Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver to try to work into the mix with Micah Parsons, but retaining Gary would give them more depth and security.
The Packers have generally held three big investments at the EDGE position at one time every year since Brian Gutekunst has been the general manager, going all the way back to when they signed Preston and Za’Darius Smith and drafted Gary in the same offseason.
Perhaps the most obvious solution is the right one, and Gary ends up getting cut, but do not completely write his obituary in Green Bay yet.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (34)
golfpacker61
February 23, 2026 at 10:42 am
Why in the world would GB want to keep paying this underachieving player? We could do so much better by signing a FA Edge Rusher for less money that will accomplish more and actually "TRY" on every play. I would just as soon sign A J Epenesa or even Jadavion Clowney to fill the void. Either would surpass Gary's sack totals just by being on the field with Parsons, and for under $5 million annually. And it's the same reason I would also move on from Enegbare, no production and projected to get over $6 million annually. We can do better.
Starrbrite
February 23, 2026 at 11:34 pm
Yep—we can do better.
ricky
February 23, 2026 at 10:48 am
Gary has been a disappointment as a pass rusher, never getting double digit sack numbers in his career. He also seems to not be fully committed to finishing plays, rather than having one of those "non-stop motors" that the best players have. If he was restructured, it would have to be a team friendly deal, because the younger, hungrier, and, at least so far, more motivated youngsters are waiting to get more snaps. So, how much should the team pay a veteran backup? Because $28 million was gambling that Gary would improve as he entered his "prime years". Instead, he has plateaued, and doesn't seem willing or able to get any better.
dblbogey
February 23, 2026 at 01:53 pm
He actually had always been a high motor guy, until this year. Gute fell in love with his RAS, as he often does, and took him despite underwhelming college numbers considering his obvious talent. Bottom line, Gary was good for several years, never exceptional, dropped off a bit in '24 and sucked in '25. Father time wins again, just move on.
heyjoe4
February 28, 2026 at 07:24 am
Agree Ricky. Gary is the opposite of Parsons when it comes to playing every snap as if it's the last. Parsons never, ever stops going after the QB. There have been times when a good T will block him around and behind a QB, and once the T releases, Parsons still goes after the QB at full speed. The guy is just a freak. I'm glad he's our freak.
Gary has had some good games in his career in GB, but just not enough. And while I can't pin it down with a good example, it just seems like Gary doesn't play every snap 100%. IOWs, he's unreliable.
I don't think the Packers will miss him, and it gives guys like LVN, Sorrell and Oliver a chance to step up. LVN in particular has to have a big year if he hopes to resign with GB.
splitpea1
February 23, 2026 at 10:49 am
It should be a foregone conclusion. Unproductive older players should not be brought back. Time to move forward and give the younger players like Sorrell a shot.
dblbogey
February 23, 2026 at 01:58 pm
I've loved Sorrell since I watched him when he got drafted in the 4th. Just grateful and excited and happy for the opportunity. Seems like such a high character, likeable team kind of guy.
stockholder
February 23, 2026 at 10:50 am
Rework his contract then trade him.
Because I just don't see them replacing
Engabre, Walker, and Gary at this time.
Trading established talent to stay young, primarily to navigate a
low-budget operating team, "while maintaining competitiveness".
Is exactly how one stays young and keeps cost-controlled players.
Avoiding long term financial contracts. Isn't insane!
jont
February 23, 2026 at 11:15 am
Rework and trade if we can get something decent in return. Otherwise, bring him back on a deal like Preston got.
It should be obvious to both team and player that he's not going to get the current contract amount. A reasonable base plus team positive incentives should be a good agreement to keep a solid if unspectacular player.
Guam
February 23, 2026 at 11:02 am
The question needs to be more specific - how much of a reduction would Gary be willing to take to stay in Green Bay? The Packers save approximately $11MM in 2026 cap space and $31MM in 2027 cap space by cutting him. The Packers have a stable of young DEs behind Gary (LVN, Sorrell, Cox, Oliver) who need playing time and all of whom are fairly cheap. Would Gary be willing to take a cap reduction of at least $11MM in 2026 and even more in 2027? IDK.
I have no idea what he is worth on the open market but pay cuts in excess of $11MM in 2026 and more in 2027 would be tough to swallow for any player. Maybe a restructure happens, but I think a cut is more likely.
golfpacker61
February 23, 2026 at 11:46 am
Yeah Guam, the sad truth is that even marginal Edge rushers get stupidly large contracts. If we could trade Gary, even if was for a 6th round pick, his new contract with his new team will be for $12-15 million per year. Move on, save the money, and start giving the reps to hungry, young players that we already have. Sign a cheaper vet. Clowney had 8.5 sacks last year in Dallas and is projected to get $5 million per year. Being across from Parsons could see him get double digit sacks and alot of pressures.
dblbogey
February 23, 2026 at 02:02 pm
I just don't see any team that would want to pay Gary, and give up even a 7th rounder, given his age and obvious fall off in production over at least the last two years. But, The Cleveland Browns do dumb stuff so maybe they'll take him.
golfpacker61
February 23, 2026 at 02:13 pm
It would surprise me too dblbogey, but I have read that multiple teams are interested and could trade for him and restructure a new contract. I really hate to lose players for nothing. That's why good teams like the Eagles or Patriots always move players sooner rather than later. The Browns are a team said to be interested in Gary and Rasheed Walker as well.
TarynsEyes
February 23, 2026 at 11:25 am
Is it better to have a cement block tied to your feet or tied to your handcuffed hands? Either way, when you hit the water or, in this case, the playing field, the result is the same. Gary is the cement block tied to this defense's feet or the hands carrying a cement block.
Starrbrite
February 23, 2026 at 11:42 pm
Good way to put it.
Strat
February 23, 2026 at 11:29 am
Go with "The most obvious solution." You don't get those all the time.
GreenandBold
February 23, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Obvious to you and I is one thing . Obvious to Gute is another thing .
GregC
February 23, 2026 at 11:42 am
The only scenario in which I would understand bringing Gary back, even at a reduced rate, is if he had played the second half of last season with an undisclosed injury that he is expected to fully recover from. That doesn't seem likely, but it happens occasionally.
golfpacker61
February 23, 2026 at 12:10 pm
The only contract to give a proven underperformer like Gary is a lower guarantee with bonus for reaching sacks, pressures, and plays that he is on the field. Nothing else would work.
\
Snap the ball
February 23, 2026 at 12:12 pm
He’s a nice guy but rime to move on
Even if he didn’t have many sacks the play against thebBears to rush outside vs inside allowed Williams to make a 4th and 8. Without that game over.
Remember the year before in Chicago he missed a sack to end the game and we had to block a kick to win.
To much money for the production, He’ll of a nice guy , but money doesn’t make cents , unless he gets faster this summer and losses 15 lbs to get faster
They drafted him for a 3-4 defense. Not a 4-3. Taller. Lanky d end….
Who knows maybe a 3-4 this year Which will take a year to figure out and get the right players. Then will be another wasted year.
MLf more d coordinator s. Then he gets haircuts. Well. That’s probably not true
If it wasn’t for speical teams and defensive I think MLf wins the last 6 superbowls and forgot one. That’s if you play 3 quarters
GreenandBold
February 23, 2026 at 01:25 pm
?
greengold
February 23, 2026 at 12:15 pm
I never want to see Rashan Gary half-ass jogging towards a ball carrier/QB again in a Packers uniform. Done.
CUT HIM.
Tundraboy
February 23, 2026 at 09:52 pm
I have to agree. Need to surround Parsons with better.
Snap the ball
February 23, 2026 at 12:21 pm
I think actually needs to loose 20lbs. He was never that fast at Michigan. Potential they drafted. Played hard one year to get the money…..then as the old timer on the radio would say. Now you know the rest of the story. Paul,Harvey guy …
I think he lacks some discipline and weight . I think he can get back to his days of good but something as happen over last 18 months of his playing.
He looked slow in traing camp and tired and bored…go through the motions.
Maybe he needs a project in the summer time. Like Beekeeping or gardening to take his mind off football.
He’s a heck of a nice guy. Just need to figure it out for this year. If 3-4. Restructuring his deal. Should work.
Might need him if parsons is back for a bit
Starrbrite
February 23, 2026 at 11:49 pm
Snap- We can do better.
Snap the ball
February 23, 2026 at 12:25 pm
We have the Collin kid and Cox to start playing and more and a few others
Younger and energetic
GreenandBold
February 23, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Getting rid of somebody a year early rather than a year late …. and it’s a year late already .
golfpacker61
February 23, 2026 at 01:07 pm
So true Green. Exactly why I would try to move Musgrave & Wicks. We need the draft picks for cheaper, possibly upgrade, draftable players. And add in cheaper, definitely upgrade, FA veterans that could replace those 2, Gary & Enegbare, and maybe even Marshawn Lloyd. Lloyd has to get on the field and produce this year or he will be gone too.
Since'75
February 23, 2026 at 02:37 pm
"From the Packers’ side, Gary had a disappointing season...."
Season, or career?
There are high expectations for the 12th pick of the draft.
Since'75
February 23, 2026 at 02:48 pm
Since'75
February 10, 2026 at 05:40 pm
My joe six pack opinion is....
He can either play for the Packers at 7-9 million, or for another team at 7-9 million.
We'll have to see how this shakes out.
If he doesn't want to play ball in a restructure, considering that the Packers have already given him 81 million, i say he can kick rocks.
Major Snafu
February 23, 2026 at 03:59 pm
Heres one where you wish you would've been dead wrong. Pre draft Gary was rated a 2 or early 3 round. His knock' lacked upper body strenghth to take on nfl caliber linemen ".
As an M fan he was way over hyped and woukd often miss the big games. I wasnt impressed and hoped Gutt woukd pass. I knew he would be a dud. Sorry I was right.
GregC
February 24, 2026 at 06:46 am
Gary was a consensus first round pick. Most people picked him to go in the top half of the first round.
Since'61
February 24, 2026 at 08:27 am
In Gary's case the issue isn't just about the money. It is also about how DC Gannon feels about him. I would hope that the Packers give Gannon a voice in their decision about whether or not to retain or release Gary. If Gannon wants Gary on his defense then the question becomes how do the Packers restructure Gary's contract and does Gary accept the new offer.
Personally I feel that it is time to let Gary go however I also believe that Gannon should have a voice in the decision. Gannon may believe that he can get Gary back on track and be an actual contributor for his defense. Thanks, Since '61
Lphill
February 24, 2026 at 11:57 am
When Parsons went down that was the time for Gary to step up but he did not ,that was his chance to prove himself, let him go keeping him will only slow down the advancement of the younger guys.