Why did new Commanders receiver retire and then decide to return?

Even after trading for Deebo Samuel and re-signing Noah Brown and K.J. Osborn, the Washington Commanders still needed more depth at wide receiver. When free agency opened, Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey were the only receivers under contract for 2025. Washington lost two key depth pieces in free agency when Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus signed elsewhere.

On Thursday, Washington introduced Samuel to the media while quietly signing a veteran wide receiver that fans should know: Michael Gallup.

Gallup actually visited Washington during the first week of free agency but left without a contract. Just over one week later, the Commanders signed the former Dallas Cowboys third-round pick for a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum.

When news of Gallup's visit surfaced, fans groaned. Why? Gallup actually retired last summer, and before his retirement, he hadn't caught more than 39 passes since 2020. Injuries played a role in Gallup's struggles with Dallas at the end of his tenure.

In six years with the Cowboys from 2018-23, Gallup appeared in 86 games with 67 starts and had 266 receptions, 3,744 receiving yards, and 21 touchdown receptions. So, while he may have never been a No. 1 receiver, Gallup has enjoyed NFL success and is still only 29.

So, why did Gallup retire?

After signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, Gallup said he wasn't in the "right head space" and retired in July. Before signing with Las Vegas, all six of Gallup's NFL seasons were in Dallas.

"The way I was let go from being in some place for so long and then jumping right into a whole other team and not being able to process it," he said. "I never went through that before. So, trying out how to process that and everything, I think it was just fast for me, and I wasn't there yet."

Gallup's explanation made perfect sense, as everyone handles things differently. It was a shock. It also helped coming to the Commanders, where Jayden Daniels is the quarterback, and Dan Quinn is the head coach. Gallup was in Dallas all three years that Quinn served as defensive coordinator.

LIVE: WR Michael Gallup speaks to the media after signing https://t.co/6OrCNViyak
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 20, 2025

Gallup said that Quinn, even though he was on the defensive side of the ball, was always checking on him, and that mattered to him personally. Gallup acknowledged the opportunity with Washington would not have happened if Quinn had not advocated for him.

Gallup doesn't need to be Washington's No. 1 or No. 2 receiver in 2025. If he makes the roster, the Commanders could use Gallup to fill Brown's (30 receptions) or Zaccheaus' (45 receptions) production. If he doesn't, Washington loses nothing. Quinn wanted to give Gallup another shot to make it, and the rest is up to the veteran wideout.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: New Commanders WR Michael Gallup explains retirement decision

21h ago

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