After joining the Raiders earlier this offseason, Michael Gallup is apparently calling it a career. The team announced that they’ve placed the wide receiver on the reserve/retired list.
The 2018 third-round pick quickly established himself as a foundational piece in Dallas, finishing his sophomore campaign with 66 catches for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns. Despite the team’s addition of first-round WR CeeDee Lamb in 2020, Gallup still managed to top 800 receiving yards on a depth chart that also featured Amari Cooper.
The trouble started in 2021. Gallup missed the first chunk of the season thanks to a calf injury. He was limited to a then-career-low 12.7 yards per reception that season on 35 catches before suffering a torn ACL in the regular season finale. The organization clearly wasn’t deterred by the injuries, as the front office handed Gallup a five-year, $62.5MM extension before trading Cooper days later.
To Gallup’s credit, he returned for 14 games in 2022, but he clearly wasn’t the same player. While Dak Prescott‘s absence partly played into Gallup’s drop in production, the wide receiver was still limited to only 30 yards per game. He managed to get into all 17 games this past season but his counting stats continued to drop, with the 28-year-old compiling only 34 catches for 418 yards and two scores.
The Cowboys gave Gallup permission to seek a trade earlier this offseason, but the team ultimately decided to cut him before a $4MM salary guarantee was due. The wideout quickly caught on with the Raiders, inking a one-year deal that could be worth up to $3MM. There was some hope that the veteran could soak up the snaps left by Hunter Renfrow, who was cut in March. Indeed, Ed Werder reports that news of Gallup’s retirement came as a surprise to the Raiders. The organization will now have an open competition for the WR3 spot behind Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.
Tre Tucker should be the #3 but Gallup was never the same after his injury.
Surprising, but I guess that’s why Gallup signed to be the fourth receiver. Perhaps he was looking for a lesser workload. I thought there was more talent than available targets when Gallup was signed, though that situation benefited the Raiders’ WR corps a lot.
Gallup has had a solid career, and was a very dependable receiver in Dallas. I’m glad to have seen him play.
I think I’d have preferred him to stay, but we should be okay.
I believe there will be some roster bubble cuts that will be very attractive as a WR3……
Thanks for the surprise on the eve of camp you POS.
Overreaction much? I understand the frustration, but let’s not pretend he murdered your family or something
Meh, some guys show up and realize they don’t have it any more. I actually am quite happy that he walks now rather than sit on the bench collecting a paycheck.
Probably saw the writing on the wall, and wasn’t going to sign another contract worth risking injury for. Made ~30mm and got out at 27.
Who is going to replace him as a waiver pickup on fantasy rosters during the bye weeks?
Says more about the Raiders than it does about Gallup.
Just wait & see who the Texans cut. If they keep Ben Skowronek, Noah Brown, and kick returner Steven Sims, they’ll be cutting Robert Woods, John Metchie III, and Xavier Hutchinson. The Chiefs will be interesting to watch too, though I wouldn’t recommend Kadarius Toney or Skyy Moore. The Giants are a little receiver heavy as well.