Michael Gallup appears to be moving down the Dallas Cowboys depth chart after being unable to return to his previous level of production. According to the most recent Cowboys news, second-year wideout Jalen Tolbert is taking snaps as the team’s third wideout ahead of Gallup. According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, this change occurred against the Seahawks in Week 13.
“Tolbert started vs. Seahawks on three-receiver formation with Gallup coming in next play,” Werder said on December 3, 2023 on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Clearly, MG has not been the player he was before the injury; Tolbert is a young player on the rise.” Cowboys expected MG to provide the same output as Amari at half the cost.”
It should be noted that Gallup is still getting playing time in the offense. Gallup’s 46% offensive snaps continue to outnumber Tolbert’s 36% and KaVontae Turpin’s 15%. Tolbert’s 37% of snaps against the Commanders in Week 12 surpassed Gallup’s 33%.
Some of this data is due to Dallas now using a rotation of players in three receiver sets rather than Gallup holding the spot solely. As the postseason approaches, CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks have established themselves as the team’s top two wideouts.
Cowboys Update: Is Michael Gallup’s Last Season in Dallas?
Dallas must make a decision on Gallup not only for the receiver rotation, but also for the veteran’s future in Dallas. Gallup’s five-year, $57.5 million contract is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season.
In 2024, the receiver’s salary will increase from $1.6 million to $8.5 million. Gallup’s cap hit of $6.7 million this season rises to $13.8 million in 2024.
The Cowboys could release Gallup this offseason, but it would come with a $13 million dead cap hit. This does not represent a significant salary cap savings for next season, but it does free Dallas from the remaining three years of Gallup’s contract.
Jalen Tolbert has surpassed Michael Gallup as Dallas’ No. 3 wide receiver.
To summarize previous Cowboys news, the front office incorrectly believed Gallup could replace Amari Cooper at a lower cost. While trading Cooper to the Browns, Dallas chose to re-sign Gallup during the 2022 offseason.
Gallup did not catch a pass against Seattle in Week 13. In the last two weeks, the wideout has only made one catch. In 12 games this season, Gallup has 28 receptions for 357 yards and a touchdown.
“He has fallen behind second-year receiver Jalen Tolbert, and free agent veteran acquisition Brandin Cooks,” wrote Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in a December 3 article titled “Michael Gallup is missing in action from the Dallas Cowboys’ revamped explosive offense.”
“Cooks is a unique player, whereas Tolbert is comparable to Gallup.”
“At wide receiver, this roster isn’t exactly Mariana Trench-deep. It’s more like a kiddie pool.
“Tolbert isn’t exactly killing it, but at this point, this move could just be about ‘getting in the way of progress.'” If you believe the bench player has a greater upside than the starter because the starter has reached his ceiling, you switch.”
It remains to be seen what Tolbert will do with this new opportunity after a disappointing rookie season with only two receptions in 2022. Tolbert has 17 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown through the first 13 weeks. Tolbert’s game has improved significantly in his second NFL season.
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