If the Green Bay Packers cut Rashan Gary because he costs too much, there will be no shortage of teams ready to sign him — and the San Francisco 49ers could be at the top of the list.
Gary’s contract has a cap hit just over $28 million in 2026, according to Spotrac. He has two more years on the four-year, $96 million contract he signed with the Packers in October of 2023, but that was before Green Bay traded for Micah Parsons and signed him to a $188 million extension. That could make Gary expendable.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic was asked in his February 10 mailbag if there were any cut candidates from other teams the Niners could sign if in fact those players were cut. Barrows named just one.
“It usually begins before the start of free agency, which this year is March 11,” Barrows wrote about cuts around the league. “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.”
Some Background on Gary & His Time With the Packers
Rashan Gary, Packers
GettyRashan Gary of the Green Bay Packers is a cut candidate in 2026. Could the San Francisco 49ers sign him?
Gary is now entering his eighth NFL season, and has spent his entire career with the Packers after being selected 12th overall in 2019.
He had a slow start to his career, netting just 7.0 sacks over his first two seasons, but things picked up in Year 3. He finished with a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2021, and he hasn’t finished with fewer than 6.0 sacks in any season since.
After the conclusion of his 2025 campaign, Gary has 46.5 sacks, 111 QB hits and seven forced fumbles over his career. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024. Those numbers may not jump off the page, but Gary has been both consistent and reliable. He’s missed one game over the past three years, and he could be an asset to several teams if the Packers let him walk.
Green Bay also has a new DC in Jonathan Gannon, so it’s possible Gannon may prefer a different edge to rush the passer opposite Parsons.
Why the San Francisco 49ers Might Sign Edge Rashan Gary if the Packers Cut Him
The 49ers are also entering a new defensive era under DC Raheem Morris, whose defenses have generally leaned on edges who can do more than just chase quarterbacks. They have to hold the edge, and they have to be physical.
Gary could be a good fit opposite Nick Bosa. He’s solid against the run, and doesn’t give ground easily. As a pass rusher, he can win with power at times, but it’s consistent disruption the Niners would really benefit from. Per PFF, Gary has had over 30 QB hurries each of the last three seasons (he had 35 in 2025), which speaks to his ability to pester opposing QBs on the regular.
Gary has the size and athleticism to line up outside, and with Bosa likely handling double teams, Gary could have some real opportunities to get after the quarterback in Morris’s defense.
It remains to be seen whether Green Bay will part ways with him, but if he gets cut, the 49ers do make a ton of sense. Stay tuned.
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