Is newly signed, formerly retired ex-Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup a wasted roster spot for Washington?
Most Commanders fans should know and recall Gallup from his six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. In the NFC East, the Cowboys and Commanders play twice each season, so there was more than enough opportunity to see Gallup getting open in the Washington secondary and catching passes for large gains.
Welcome back, Michael Gallup
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 2, 2022
Cowboys 12, Commanders 7 pic.twitter.com/8qYXlUNRb0
In his six seasons in Dallas, Gallup started 67 games, caught 266 passes, for 3,744 yards, including 21 receiving touchdowns and 182 first downs, averaging 14.1 yards per reception. In his final season with Dallas (2023) Gallup produced his lowest career receiving yards season with only 418. Gallup also only caught two touchdown passes and also had a career season low in receiving first downs (19).
But then in the Cowboys' playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers (48-32), Gallup had his best game of the season, catching six passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. It was Gallup's first 100-yard receiving game since Thanksgiving 2021 vs the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, it was not enough to save his job, as the Cowboys, seeing the overall decline in Gallup's game, released him in the offseason (March 15, 2024). In April, Gallup signed with the Raiders as a free agent, but on July 23, 2024, before the start of training camp, Gallup announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 28.
So, why did the Commanders invest in signing Gallup, especially since he has already retired once at only 28? Well, the investment is minimal for the Commanders. Gallup had no salary leverage, so he agreed to come and try to make the team, only earning the league veteran minimum.
Noah Brown is coming off a serious kidney injury, and the Commanders lost Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown in free agency. So, signing Gallup, who now says after sitting out the 2024 season, he again wants to play. If he doesn't make the team, there is no guaranteed money, and the Commanders don't lose anything.
If Gallup is really passionate about returning and shows he can still contribute, then isn't it great to get a receiver who has shown he can make big plays, is a good locker room guy, and he just turned 29 in March?
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Will Michael Gallup make the Commanders' roster?
