NFL free agency is fast approaching, and the Green Bay Packers are expected to begin making some difficult decisions regarding their roster.

Head coach Matt LaFleur was given the opportunity to continue his tenure in Green Bay despite the Packers losing five straight games to end the season, including blowing a 15-point fourth-quarter lead to the Chicago Bears.

LaFleur signed a new multi-year extension shortly after the team’s playoff exit. That also included extensions for general manager Brian Gutekunst and vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball.

“We are excited to extend our commitment to Brian, Matt and Russ as the leaders of our football operations. Their steadfast dedication, passion and collaboration have remained constant in our drive to compete at the highest level,” Packers team president Ed Policy said, per ESPN.

Now it will be up to that trio to make significant roster decisions in hopes of avoiding another late-season collapse.

One name that continues to surface in those conversations is defensive lineman Rashan Gary.

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Rashan Gary No Longer a Top Priority?

Entering the 2025 season, Gary was viewed as Green Bay’s top pass rusher. He led the team in sacks each of the last three seasons, though he never reached double digits.

That changed when the Packers traded for three-time First-Team All-Pro Micah Parsons. Despite missing part of the season with a torn ACL, Parsons still recorded 12.5 sacks, compared to Gary’s 7.5.

Now the Packers must decide whether to keep Gary at his current number, restructure his deal or move on entirely.

Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon believes Gary is no longer a “top priority” in Green Bay and could ultimately be released.

“Micah Parsons is the guy now in Green Bay, and assuming he recovers from his torn ACL this offseason, the team could opt to give more support snaps on the edge to Kingsley Enagbare and Lukas Van Ness. Gary is coming off back-to-back ‘meh’ 7.5-sack campaigns,” Gagnon wrote.

“Gary is no longer a top priority and could be released if the team can’t work out a favorable restructure.”

Packers Have Financial Flexibility With Rashan Gary

Gary has two years remaining on the four-year, $96 million extension he signed in 2024. He is set to make a base salary of $18 million in 2026 with a $28 million cap hit, followed by a $21 million base salary and a $31 million cap hit in 2027.

Where things become interesting for Green Bay is with a post-June 1 designation.

According to Spotrac, a post-June 1 release would result in an $8.5 million dead cap hit in both 2026 and 2027, while freeing up $19.5 million in cap space for the 2026 season.

While Gagnon suggests Gary is no longer a priority, that may not be entirely accurate. Yes, Parsons is now the focal point of the pass rush, and Gary’s production hasn’t matched his contract value. But Green Bay still has to consider how long Parsons could be sidelined and whether he will immediately return to Pro Bowl form.

Given that uncertainty, a reworked deal could make more sense than an outright release for both sides.