The Washington Commanders have officially announced the signing of wide receiver Michael Gallup on Thursday, March 20, 2025, marking his return to the NFL after a brief retirement. Gallup, who previously spent six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, is hoping to reignite his career following a challenging past few years that included a major injury and a short-lived retirement.
Gallup, 29, was drafted by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft (81st overall). During his time in Dallas, he made a significant impact on the field, appearing in 86 games, and starting 67 of them. Over those six seasons, he recorded 266 receptions for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns, with his best performance coming in 2019 when he caught 66 passes for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns. He was regarded as a high-level deep threat and a contested-catch specialist, and if he returns to form, he could add depth to a Commanders' receiving corps that already features talented players like Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel.
The signing reunites Gallup with several familiar faces from his Cowboys days, such as head coach Dan Quinn. Quinn served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator during Gallup’s final three seasons in Dallas. Other former teammates, including center Tyler Biadasz and defensive end Dorance Armstrong, have also made the move to Washington. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 198 pounds, Gallup is expected to compete for a significant role in the Commanders’ offense.
In a surprising turn of events, Gallup announced his retirement just before the 2024 season while he was on a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, after signing with them during the offseason. However, he decided to come out of retirement this offseason. The Raiders released him from their reserve/retired list earlier this year, allowing him the freedom to pursue opportunities with other teams. Gallup has emphasized that he wasn’t in the right headspace when he initially stepped away from the game, but he remained physically prepared for a comeback.
“I want to get behind that train and be a reliable target for him,” Gallup said, referencing his new quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was impressive during the 2024 season and recently earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Their connection reportedly began over a FaceTime call just before Gallup officially signed. The Commanders have taken significant steps to bolster their offense this offseason, including acquiring left tackle Laremy Tunsil in a trade with the Houston Texans and resigning Noah Brown. With Gallup now in the mix, the team's receiving options further deepen complementing talented wideouts already on the roster.
Gallup's recent performance in the NFL has been a topic of discussion, particularly after experiencing downturns in production post his 2021 knee injury that included a torn ACL. After that injury, he struggled to reestablish his former level of performance. From 2021 through 2023, Gallup caught only 73 of 131 targets for a total of 842 yards and six touchdowns, averaging just 27.2 yards per game—less than half of his 52.8 yards per game average from his first four seasons. As a result, the Cowboys opted to release him in a salary-cap move in March 2024. However, if fully healthy, he still has the potential to contribute significantly to Washington's offense.
The pressure is certainly on Gallup as he makes this transition to a new team and aims to reclaim the high-level play that once defined his career. His ability to stretch the field and create opportunities for others will prove vital for Washington, who has a goal of competing seriously in the NFC East. Amidst fierce competition within the division, Gallup's experience could be exactly what the Commanders need to elevate their game.
Gallup is also set to face his former team, the Cowboys, twice a year in the NFC East, which will provide added motivation as he seeks to prove his capabilities after being let go. Opportunities like these can re-ignite a player's career, especially for someone looking to recover from setbacks. The upcoming NFL season promises to be a significant one for Michael Gallup, as he hopes to demonstrate to fans and critics alike that he still has much to offer on the field.
