Dallas Cowboys have an opportunity to make the Rashan Gary trade even better, and they will likely take it
The Dallas Cowboys’ trade for Rashan Gary may get even better in just a matter of days with a win-win negotiation.
Early on Monday, the Dallas Cowboys traded for EDGE Rashan Gary.
The deal was controversial, mostly because the Cowboys gave up a 2027 fourth-round pick for a player many expected to be a cap casualty. However, Gary’s arrival gives the Cowboys an immediate fit at edge rusher while more moves can still be made at the position.
And here’s the thing, in the coming days, the Jerry Jones-led front office can make sure the deal looks even better than it does in Day 1 thanks to an opportunity I expect them to take. All that needs to happen is a win-win negotiation with Gary.
Cowboys can lower Gary’s cap hit with easy negotiation
The main reason why the Packers were expected to cut Gary going into free agency was his cap hit. Now, the Cowboys are set to take on most of it. According to Over the Cap, Gary will be in the books for $19.5 million in 2026 and $22.5 million in 2027.
However, I wouldn’t bet on those numbers holding up for much longer.
You see, Gary’s deal is out of guaranteed money, with most of it being base salary. That gives the Cowboys flexibility to restructure Gary’s deal through a simple cash conversion or a reworked deal. I’m thinking the latter is the way to go.
Specifically, the Cowboys and Gary can land on a win-win scenario by agreeing to a pay cut in exchange for guaranteed money that gives the player more long-term security, albeit at a lowered price tag.
Earlier on Monday, the Cowboys did something similar with right tackle Terence Steele. While the lineman got $22 million in fully guaranteed money, he goes from being set to make $46 million over three years down to $33 million.
Though they’ll have to negotiate the exact numbers, lowering Gary’s salary by nearly $5 million per year in exchange of fully guaranteed money in 2026 and 2027 sure seems like an option he would consider after being on the Packers’ chopping block because of his cap hits.
For now, the Cowboys getting a starting-caliber edge rusher is a win. But there is much more left to do. Lowering Gary’s cap hits should help those efforts.
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