Raiders place former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup on reserved/retired list

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Las Vegas Raiders have placed wide receiver Michael Gallup on the reserved/retired list. A stunning move for Gallup as he was entering his first season with the Raiders. Now, his NFL career might be over after just seven seasons and at 28 years old.

“Raiders placed former Cowboys WR Michael Gallup on the reserved/retired list,” Schefter said via X.

Gallup is a former third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, entering the league in 2018 out of Memphis. He quickly became a nice option for Dak Prescott, going for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns on 66 receptions in 2019.

One year later, Gallup was considered to be a part of a three-headed monster in Dallas alongside Amari Cooper and then-rookie CeeDee Lamb. Another big year was expected in 2021 but a torn ACL ended things yearly with just nine games played.

Even so, the Cowboys decided to give Gallup a contract extension for $57.5 million over five years.

While the knee recovered from a physical standpoint, the mental aspect was something Gallup never got back on the right track. He admitted as such ahead of the 2023 season, saying he was not comfortable back on the field.

“Last year, obviously the mentals weren’t there,” Gallup said in July 2023 I knew my leg was good. I knew I was straight, but I still had to get over that little hump. … I’ve already (rebuilt the confidence). That’s why we had OTAs and all that good stuff. I definitely rebuilt it.”

Despite claiming to be back to normal, the on-field numbers never recovered with the Cowboys. Gallup career lows across the board in 2024 with 34 receptions on 57 targets, 418 yards, and two touchdowns. There was a positive to the end of his time in Dallas, having six receptions for 103 yards in the NFC Wild Card game against Green Bay, being the lone bright star of the performance.

At first, a trade was allowed to be searched for by Gallup and his agent as Dallas was ready to move on. In the end, a straight release was granted and he hit the free agent market.

Making a couple of visits, Las Vegas wound up being the destination — potentially seen as a fresh opportunity. Especially with a first-ever head coach and playing alongside another great receiver, DeVante Adams.

Unfortunately, the decision to retire has been made and Gallup will not play in the NFL anymore.