In a notable twist, Gary agreed to a significant pay cut as part of the restructuring. He will earn $16 million per season over the next two years, with the contract including an option and void years that reduce his cap hits to $5.44 million for 2024 and $8.24 million for 2027. The restructuring shifts most of his 2026 compensation to guarantees, including a $13.2 million signing bonus, while reducing his overall guaranteed money in the short term.
Dallas moved quickly to finalize the trade just ahead of the start of NFL free agency, signaling the team’s intent to bolster its pass rush without overcommitting in the immediate term. The Cowboys will now add Gary to a defensive front that has sought to pair high-end edge talent with durable production, following a year in which Gary recorded at least 7.5 sacks across three consecutive seasons.
Gary’s arrival marks the second high-profile edge-rusher trade between the Cowboys and Packers in recent years, continuing a pattern of strategic moves aimed at upgrading the defense while managing cap constraints. The 6-foot-5, 277-pound edge rusher was the 12th overall pick in the 2019 draft and has shown the potential for elite production when healthy, though his contract extension in 2023 had set high expectations that have evolved with the new deal and the Cowboys’ financial approach.
As the 2024 season highlighted Gary’s upside with a Pro Bowl appearance, Dallas will look to maximize his impact alongside other pass-rushing options. The move underscores the Cowboys’ willingness to buy low on elite talent and blend short-term savings with long-term upside, a strategy they’ve employed in past offseasons as they target a dynamic and diversified edge rotation.
