Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup, who spent six seasons with the franchise from 2018-2023, is still trying to find some stability after he was cut by the franchise following the 2023 campaign.
After spending one year away from football in 2024, Gallup came out of retirement and signed with the Washington Commanders in March. While both sides hoped the agreement would help Gallup revive his career, a strong receiving corps, headlined by the recently extended Terry McLaurin, made it difficult for Gallup to make the team and ultimately resulted in him being one of six players released by the Commanders on Monday.
We have released CB Essang Bassey, WR Michael Gallup, C Nick Harris, T Tyre Phillips, DT Norell Pollard and WR Braylon Sanders
https://twitter.com/Commanders/status/1960069671534879138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Comeback Attempt Cut Short for Michael Gallup
As the team confirmed on Monday, Gallup was let go just 10 days before the NFL season kicks off. The news follows a quiet preseason for Gallup, who only recorded 40 receiving yards on four catches in limited preseason action. This also came on the same day that the Cowboys released veteran tackle La’el Collins, who was attempting a reunion with the franchise this offseason, a reminder of how close the season is as teams finalize their 53-man rosters.
Since Gallup’s career season in 2019, his results have plummeted. In 2019, he posted career-highs in receptions (66), targets (113), receiving yards (1,107), average yards per catch (16.8) and TDs (six). In the four seasons since, Gallup saw his total production decline to just 418 receiving yards and two TDs in 2023.
Per ESPN Washington Commanders reporter John Keim, Gallup said he wasn’t “in the right head space” following his release from Dallas, which factored into his decision to step away. He did not rule out a return to the playing field, though, saying, “There’s a lot of meat on that bone.”
Injuries appeared to play a major role in Gallup’s reduction, specifically a torn ACL in his left knee during the 2021 season. Considering former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who was the DC in Dallas for three of Gallup’s six seasons, is the current head coach for the Commanders, it made sense for them to take a chance on him given their previous relationship.
Prior to those injuries, the former third-round pick out of Colorado State in 2018 was one of the most elite WR2s in the league, even during the 2020 season when CeeDee Lamb began his career in Dallas.
With so little production during the preseason and other playmakers like McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Noah Brown, rookie Jaylin Lane, veteran K.J. Osborn and 2024 third-round draft pick Luke McCaffrey already on the roster, there was no reason for Washington to keep him on the 53-man roster.
Now that his brief stint during the offseason with Washington is over, Gallup will have to explore other options as he looks to overcome some injury setbacks and return to the field.
