The Dallas Cowboys are planning to trade veteran playmaking receiver, Michael Gallup as free agency is set to begin this week. According to a source, the team has granted Gallup permission to seek a trade partner with the free agency on the horizon. However, it seems like his release will be coming soon on the front porch. There was always speculation in last year’s deadline brewing if the Cowboys were willing to trade him, but now it’s come to light.
Money could be the reason why the Cowboys are parting ways with Gallup, but they’re looking to get something out of it. It seems unlikely they’ll find a trade partner in time for free agency since he carries a $13.85 million cap hit. Gallup spent his first six seasons in the league with the Cowboys, notching 266 yards for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns. He caught 34 of 57 targets for 418 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Gallup had his best season in his second year when he caught 66 passes for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns. If Gallup remains on the roster after March 16th, it will guarantee $4 million of his $8.5 million base salary for the 2024 season. The Cowboys are expected to release him if they can’t find a trade partner in time. Gallup will likely be released since the Cowboys would be forced to after potentially not finding a trade partner.
His production has been slowing down for the past two seasons after recovering from his season-ending ACL tear in 2021. Dallas gave Gallup a five-year, $57.5 million contract extension after his injury. However, they were hoping he would recover quickly and get back to his old self, but he didn’t.
The #Cowboys have given WR Michael Gallup permission to seek a trade, per @calvinwatkins. pic.twitter.com/IUfD00jHh0
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 10, 2024
Dallas Cowboys Planning to Trade Veteran Playmaking Receiver Michael Gallup
Galluping Away
The team always takes chances on players, especially those who are recovering from season-ending injuries. However, the front office is waiting no longer and now the Cowboys are down one receiver. It’s like they may target a wide receiver in this upcoming free agency to replace Gallup. Gallup couldn’t return to the player he was once in 2019.
He had 1,000 receiving yards, but since signing the contract, he had 73 receptions, 842 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The disappointing campaign is coming to a close as he’ll likely be free to sign wherever he wants by March 17th, according to a source. The Dallas Cowboys still have a lot of cleaning up to do though, they still need to extend their star players. Dallas could designate Gallup as a post-June 1 release, saving the most money against their salary cap.
With that, it’s either they want to get an extension for their players or make a splash in the market. It’s signaling that the Cowboys could extend their franchise quarterback. Dak Prescott by August which lines up in time for the regular season. The Cowboys may want to release Gallup now to maximize his potential for the market. This would work for both sides before his guaranteed money kicks in.
Potential Team Fits for Gallup
While it may look like teams will take a gamble on Gallup, there are still potential suitors for him. The Jacksonville Jaguars are one destination after having an inconsistent set of receivers last season. They’re at risk of losing Calvin Ridley, so adding a veteran could improve their pass-catching problems. Gallup would be a cheaper option to provide a cushion for Trevor Lawrence, after trading for Patriots’ Mac Jones.
The Kansas City Chiefs also need a reliable receiver as well and adding Gallup wouldn’t cost them much. After releasing Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the team is looking for a veteran productive receiver and that answer could be Gallup.
