Rashan Gary's Deleted Farewell Post Fuels Packers Trade Speculation

Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary recently posted a farewell message to the team on Instagram, which he subsequently deleted. The incident has led to conflicting reports regarding its origin, with some sources indicating the account was compromised, while others state Gary remains a subject of trade discussions.

Social Media Sparks Speculation

Rashan Gary, 28, posted a message on Instagram expressing gratitude for his time with the Green Bay Packers. The post stated, "When I got the call in 2019, it was one of the greatest moments of my life, and it always will be." He added that representing Green Bay and "Packers Nation" was an "unforgettable experience," concluding, "Like all chapters in life, this one has come to an end."

The message also indicated future plans with the text, "On to my next stop nowhere near done yet. All 6'5", 275 can’t wait." The post, described as a five-paragraph graphic, was later deleted on Friday.

Conflicting Narratives Emerge

Following the deletion, ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that Gary had not been informed of a release or trade. Concurrently, multiple reports, citing an unnamed source, indicated that Gary's Instagram account had reportedly been hacked, with control quickly regained.

Despite the hacking claims, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero stated that Gary remains a subject of trade discussions.

Contractual Landscape

Gary's contract for the 2026 season includes a non-guaranteed base salary of $18 million, along with $800,000 in per-game roster bonuses and a $700,000 workout bonus. The total non-guaranteed payment for 2026 was also reported as $19.5 million. His cap number for that year is $28 million. There is no specific contractual trigger requiring the Packers to make an immediate decision on Gary's future at the start of the 2026 league year.

Should the Packers release Gary, the team would save $11 million in cap space but incur $17 million in dead cap, according to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac.

GM's Confidence and Recent Performance

Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst spoke positively about Gary at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

Gutekunst stated, "He was impactful towards the second half of the season, maybe not as much as he was in the first, but he was impactful. And Rashan's got all the talent in the world, and he's produced at a high level for us since he's been here, and we would expect that next year, as well."

These comments were reported by Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Gary has played his entire NFL career with the Packers since being selected as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. During his 2025 season, he recorded 45 tackles, 20 quarterback hits, and 7.5 sacks across 16 games, though he did not record a sack in his final nine regular-season appearances. Other teams are expected to show interest in him.