When the Green Bay Packers landed Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade and handed him a four-year, $188 million extension back in August, they didn’t just acquire a game-wrecking defender-they also added a major financial commitment to their books. And while the move has paid off on the field, it may soon force the front office into some tough decisions. One of those could involve edge rusher Rashan Gary.
Gary, who’s been a steady presence on the Packers’ defense since being drafted 12th overall in 2019, finds himself in an intriguing position. On paper, he’s having a solid season-7.5 sacks, 39 tackles, and 15 quarterback hits through 12 games. That’s respectable production, especially when you consider he’s sharing the field with Parsons, who demands constant attention from opposing offensive lines.
But here’s where things get complicated. Despite the sack numbers, Gary’s overall impact has been inconsistent.
His pass-rushing grade sits at 60.9, according to Pro Football Focus-a number that doesn’t exactly scream elite. And with Parsons drawing double teams and chipping backs on most snaps, there’s an expectation that Gary should be feasting on more one-on-one opportunities.
That hasn’t consistently been the case.
Financially, the situation is even trickier. Gary is under contract through the 2026 season on a four-year, $107 million deal he signed in October 2023.
He’s set to earn $19.5 million in 2026, which will be his age-29 season. That’s a hefty price tag for a player who’s never posted a double-digit sack season-his career high remains 9.5 sacks in 2021, the same year he notched 28 QB hits.
The Packers could look at that number, weigh it against Gary’s ceiling, and decide it’s time to get younger, cheaper, and more dynamic at the edge position. That’s not a knock on Gary’s value-he’s a tough, durable player who hasn’t missed a game since 2022 and made his first Pro Bowl last season. But in a league with a hard salary cap and elite talent like Parsons already on the payroll, tough calls become inevitable.
Also worth watching is offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, another name floated as a potential trade candidate. But Gary’s situation feels more urgent, especially given the positional overlap with Parsons and the financial strain it could create moving forward.
As it stands, the Packers are 8-3-1 and heading into a key NFC North clash with the Chicago Bears this Sunday. They’re firmly in the playoff mix, and the Parsons-Gary duo has been a big part of that. But once the season wraps, Green Bay’s front office may have to decide if keeping both players is sustainable-or if it’s time to make a move that could reshape the defense once again.