Long-time Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary appeared to announce in a March 6 Instagram post his time with the franchise had come to an end.
But just minutes after Gary’s heartfelt goodbye to Packers fans was posted, it was deleted.
The reason? Gary’s Instagram account was hacked, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky; and the Packers have not yet traded or released the seven-year veteran, as ‘both options remain on the table,’ according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman.
The 28-year-old’s post had already been widely circulated before it was deleted. Several NFL insiders, including NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, posted screen shots of the veteran’s tribute across social media.
The message posted to Gary’s account started with an acknowledgement he would be leaving the team.
‘When I got the call in 2019, it was one of the greatest moments of my life, and it always will be,’ Gary wrote. ‘The opportunity to represent Green Bay and Packers Nation across the country and around the world is something I will never forget.’
‘Like all chapters in life, this one has come to an end,’ he added.
The post to Gary’s account did not specify in his post whether he would be traded or released. It simply showcased the first-round pick expressing gratitude to the fans that cheered for him across seven years in Green Bay.
‘I want to thank everyone who supported me and my family throughout the years,’ Gary wrote. ‘The love, the energy, and the memories mean more than words can explain.’
‘On to my next stop,’ Gary concluded. ‘Nowhere near done yet.’
It isn’t clear whether the post was crafted by Gary and his representation or if it was created by the alleged hacker.
Rashan Gary contract details
Gary is in the penultimate season of a four-year, $96 million contract extension he inked with the Packers during the 2023 NFL season. He is set to carry a cap hit of $28.1 million in 2026, per OverTheCap.com, while parting with him would net the Packers roughly $11 million in cap space.
Gary has been productive for the Packers – making the Pro Bowl in 2024 and posting at least six sacks in five consecutive seasons – but he has never logged double-digit sacks with the team.
If Green Bay does move on from Gary, it could be related to the disconnect between his pay and sack production. But for now, Gary remains under contract as a Packer through the 2027 NFL season.