With the NFL’s legal tampering period set to kick off in a matter of hours, the Dallas Cowboys wasted no time in adding to their defensive line after coming up short in their pursuit of Maxx Crosby.
On Monday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Cowboys acquired veteran pass rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network adds that the Cowboys gave up a 2027 fourth-round pick for the veteran defender, who looked like he was on the verge of being released a few days ago.
This is quite the pivot for the Cowboys, who were in the running for Crosby but weren’t willing to pay the ultimate price that the Baltimore Ravens did, which was two first-round picks. That said, the Gary acquisition is a solid move on paper for the Cowboys, given that they need to improve their sack numbers from this past season (35 sacks).
At the same time, Gary’s addition could also spell the end for veteran Jadeveon Clowney, who is a free agent and was one of the standouts on the defensive line in 2025.
Jadeveon Clowney's Cowboys Future May Be Doomed with Rashan Gary Trade
ESPN’s Todd Archer and Rob Demovsky wrote on Monday that there are questions about how Clowney would fit into new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme. Parker said that when he was hired, his scheme would be determined by the talent on the field.
However, Parker mentioned multiple defensive fronts would be a part of his core principles in his first year as DC.
"“The first thing is we're going to be multiple," Parker said via the Cowboys’ official website. "I think that whenever you form a defensive structure, it's about the players that you have. So our core principles, we'll be a 3-4 by nature, but 4-3 spacing will be appropriate, 4-2-5 in nickel, different front structures, coverages behind it. But I will say being multiple is probably the most important thing about it.""Cowboys DC Christian Parker
As it pertains to Clowney, he has experience playing in 3-4 and 4-3 defenses throughout his career and has had varying degrees of success. This past season, with Matt Eberflus as the defensive coordinator, Clowney turned in 22 quarterback pressures, 12 tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, and 8.5 sacks in a 4-3 defense.
The last time Clowney had eight or more sacks was playing in a 3-4 defense with the Ravens in 2023 (9.5 sacks). According to Spotrac, Clowney’s market value is a one-year, $5.7 million deal, which is affordable for Dallas and other teams.
Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see what else Dallas does to bolster their pass rush unit as free agency gets underway. They’re set in the interior of the defensive line. Now, it's all about finding more pieces to put together one of the more feared units in the league. But will Clowney be part of those plans in 2026?