An Offseason With The Raiders Convinced Veteran WR Michael Gallup to Retire
Michael Gallup said, "Yup, I'm out."
In a shocking bit of news for starved NFL fans, Michael Gallup — ex-Dallas Cowboys wideout and fantasy football waiver wire staple — announced his intentions to retire, shared right as mandatory training camps open up around the NFL.
Gallup's news comes as a shocker not just because he's still young at 28, but also because the receiver's longtime perceived ceiling made him a No. 3 option in Dallas.
Long hailed as a high-upside receiver in Dallas, the NFL community will wonder about the heights Gallup was capable of reaching now that he's retired.
And the sudden news inevitably begs questions about the current state of the Raiders' offense: Did a dejected locker room push Gallup out of football?
Michael Gallup, Longtime Dallas Cowboys WR3, Retires
Typically, third options don't gain much fame, but Dallas committed to Gallup after he posted solid numbers as early as his sophomore season.
From 2019 to 2020, Gallup amassed 1,950 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He totaled 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns with the Cowboys. Gallup never played up to his peak after a calf injury in 2021 but still received a five-year, $62.5 million extension from the Cowboys in 2022. Occasional injuries to the Cowboys' WR depth throughout the years afforded Gallup a few opportunities to usurp the WR3 label. Gallup failed to make the next leap and was subsequently released by Dallas in March 2024.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 04: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
This offseason, Gallup signed a one-year contract with the Raiders, spent a few weeks with the organization, and then lost his passion for the game.
While the blame for Gallup's retirement surely does not fall entirely on the Raiders, their current offensive situation under second-year quarterback Aidan O'Connell hasn't inspired anyone to pick Las Vegas as the top dog in the AFC West.
As it stands, the Cowboys and the Raiders are facing choppy starts to training camp.
In Las Vegas, top offensive weapon Davante Adams has been making it evident that he's unhappy with the current offensive cast led by Aidan O'Connell — an inexperienced starter. Las Vegas lost top running back Josh Jacobs in the backfield, leaving Adams in charge of shouldering the offense.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, top wideout CeeDee Lamb is holding out for a massive contract extension, while quarterback Dak Prescott enters a new season of having to prove himself as the future of the Dallas Cowboys.
Fortunately for Gallup, neither team is his concern anymore.
Happy Trails!
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 20: Wide receiver Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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