Report: Former Cowboys WR Michael Gallup intends to make NFL comeback

Former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup, who retired last offseason, has decided to make a comeback, his agent told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network on Friday evening. The Las Vegas Raiders released him from the reserve/retired list on Friday for that reason. He is still just 29 years old.

For his career, he’s hauled in 266 catches for 3,744 receiving yards and 21 touchdown catches.

Gallup was a former third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, entering the league in 2018 out of Colorado State. 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.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this article.