The Green Bay Packers are going to have to make several big decisions on their roster this off-season. In addition to deciding which of their free agents to bring back, they also need to take a look at the current contracts of other players. As is the case every year, several players will be released or have their contracts restructured to help get the team under the salary cap.
One name that is frequently discussed this off-season as a likely cap casualty is one-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Rashan Gary. Indeed, all the buzz would seem to indicate that, unless he takes a significant pay cut, his time in Green Bay is coming to an end.
Green Bay Packers pass rusher Rashan Gary could be targeted by the San Francisco 49ers
Sep 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary (52) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
In 2026, Gary is set to carry a salary cap hit of $28 million. However, he has a dead cap hit of just over $17 million, which means the Packers could save nearly $11 million in cap space if they were to release him.
Last season, he got off to a hot start with 4.5 sacks through three weeks, but slowed down considerably (and literally), recording just 7.5 sacks on the season. He did not have a single sack after his two-sack performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 26.
Due to his cap hit, and his lack of production down the stretch, he is certainly not going to be with the Packers next season, at least not on the salary he is scheduled to make.
And if/when he is released, the San Francisco 49ers may be interested, per their beat writer Matt Barrows of The Athletic:
“Would Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary make sense? He’s a release candidate who had 7.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits in 2025 and is still only 28.”
The excerpt above is his answer to a question in his mailbag column about potential free agents San Francisco could sign after players get released by teams.
Gary would, on paper, be a great addition to a 49ers defense that will be led by Raheem Morris, a name many Packers fans wanted to be the next defensive coordinator in Green Bay.
However, if he is going to be successful anywhere, he is going to have to work on his effort and finishing plays instead of jogging after quarterbacks when they escape from the pocket.
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