As the NFL free agency period approaches, speculation is swirling around Rashan Gary‘s future with the Green Bay Packers. Although Gary is not entering free agency himself, his disappointing performance last season combined with a sizeable salary cap hit has placed him on the chopping block as a potential offseason cut.
Financial data from Spotrac reveals that if the Packers release Gary and designate the cut effective June 1, the team would save $19.5 million in salary cap space versus incurring just an $8.5 million dead cap penalty. Given that Gary failed to record a sack across the last 10 games last season, it is understandable why the team might be tempted to pursue those cap savings. This is a common dilemma in the NFL where organizations must weigh the cost of underperforming players against their contractual commitments.
Despite the possibility of an offseason release, it does not necessarily signal the end of Gary’s time in the NFC North division.
Rivals in the NFC North Might Pursue Gary if Packers Cut Him
Considering the makeup of the NFC North, it is plausible that if the Packers release Rashan Gary, he could remain within the division by signing with a rival team. Both the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears have expressed the need for pass-rushing talent and could offer Gary an opportunity to prove himself against Green Bay twice annually, which might be appealing given the circumstances of his departure.
The Chicago Bears ranked tied for seventh-fewest sacks last season, with just 35 total, highlighting an area of need in their defense. Meanwhile, the Lions posted a much stronger sack count, tied for fourth with 49, but depend heavily on Aidan Hutchinson, who cannot carry the pass rush burden alone. Detroit’s General Manager Brad Holmes, facing pressure to improve the roster, could see acquiring Gary as a means to bolster the defense and buy valuable time in his role.
This scenario is reminiscent of past occurrences in the division, such as when Za’Darius Smith left the Packers for the Minnesota Vikings four years ago. Though Smith’s stint in Minnesota was relatively brief, he remained within the division when the Vikings traded him to the Cleveland Browns in late 2024.
There is clearly a tendency among NFC North pass rushers to continue playing within the division, and Gary might follow suit if cut. Of his 106 career appearances, 37 have been within NFC North matchups, suggesting familiarity with divisional competition could influence his next destination.
A potential contract restructuring could also keep Gary in Green Bay, but given the mutual benefits a split could bring—financial relief for the Packers and a fresh start for Gary—both parties may find that option preferable after a subdued finish to his latest season.
The Packers must also consider the risk that Gary could join a division rival and potentially leverage that opportunity for success against his former team. Nevertheless, with the defender now 29 years old and coming off a disappointing season, the window for a high-impact return may be narrowing.
