FRISCO, Texas – The day after the Cowboys agreed to trade Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns, the team has finalized a five-year, $62.5 million extension with wide receiver Michael Gallup.
Cooper’s deal has yet to be finalized and is still pending a physical. His departure will officially be announced next week at the start of the new league year, freeing up $16 million in cap space. His $20 million base salary for 2022 is guaranteed if he is still on the roster by the fifth day of the new league year (March 20.)
Gallup was set to hit the open market in free agency but after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Week 17, he is going to remain in Dallas post-surgery and rehab with the familiar athletic training staff. The coaching staff is hopeful he will be ready in September for the regular season.
The Cowboys selected Gallup in the third round of the 2018 draft and instantly became an integral piece of the offense. He emerged as the team’s most dangerous deep threat with a rare ability of navigating the sideline. During his tenure in Dallas, Gallup has registered 193 catches for 2,902 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2019, Gallup eclipsed the 1,000-yard marker and tallied 66 catches – both career highs. A calf injury suffered in Week 1 and an ACL injury in Week 17 hindered Gallup’s 2021 campaign. He notched just 35 catches for 445 yards in nine games.
With the Cowboys parting ways on Cooper, CeeDee Lamb will move into the No. 1 receiver role and Gallup will have an increased role in Kellen Moore’s offense, additionally. The Cowboys will likely look to the draft to solidify the position group. The Cowboys’ No. 4 receiver, Cedrick Wilson, has an expiring rookie deal and is not expected to return when free agency kicks off.
