At just 28 years old, Michael Gallup has made the decision to retire from the NFL, a move that has sent ripples through the league. The Las Vegas Raiders placed Gallup on the reserve/retired list on Tuesday, marking the end of a promising career that featured soaring highs and challenging lows.
Gallup’s Brief Tenure with the Raiders
Gallup's time with the Raiders was short but notable. He signed a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with Las Vegas in May, hoping to make a significant impact on the team's offensive lineup. However, his unexpected retirement means the Raiders will have to look elsewhere to fill the gap he leaves behind.
This abrupt announcement follows a tumultuous offseason for Gallup. The Dallas Cowboys released him in March despite having three years and $45.55 million left on his contract. This surprising move indicated a shift in the Cowboys' strategy and perhaps a foreshadowing of the eventual end to Gallup’s NFL journey.
A Look Back at Gallup’s Career
Michael Gallup's NFL journey began when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. From the outset, he showed flashes of brilliance, establishing himself as a reliable target in the Cowboys' aerial attack.
His standout season came in 2019 when he recorded 1,107 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.8 yards per catch. This performance solidified Gallup’s reputation as a big-play receiver capable of changing the dynamics of a game in a single snap.
Over his tenure with the Cowboys, Gallup started 67 out of 86 games, proving to be a dependable starter. He logged 266 catches for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns, maintaining a solid average of 14.1 yards per catch. These numbers reflect not just his ability to make crucial catches but also his knack for racking up significant yardage after the catch.
The Impact of Injuries
Gallup’s career was not without its hurdles. He suffered an ACL injury, which required a grueling recovery period. Post-injury, Gallup managed to collect 73 catches for 822 yards and six touchdowns in 31 games. While these numbers reflect a dip from his peak performance, they underscore his resilience and determination to compete at the highest level despite physical setbacks.
In the last three seasons with Dallas, Gallup tallied 108 catches for 1,287 yards and eight touchdowns. While not matching the heights of his 2019 season, these stats show that he remained a valuable player for the Cowboys even as he battled through recovery and other challenges.
Raiders' Roster Moves
Alongside Gallup’s retirement, the Raiders have had to manage other roster adjustments. Several players, including LB Darien Butler, G Jake Johanning, G Jackson Powers-Johnson, WR Jalen Guyton, and T Kolton Miller, have been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. These changes indicate a period of transition for the Raiders as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Michael Gallup’s sudden retirement leaves a legacy marked by flashes of brilliance and resilience. While his time in the NFL has been shorter than many expected, his contributions on the field will not soon be forgotten. As the Raiders and Cowboys move forward, Gallup’s impact will be measured not just in the yards and touchdowns he posted, but in the moments of excitement he brought to fans and teammates alike.