Following his inability to resume his prior level of output, Michael Gallup seems to be dropping down the Dallas Cowboys depth chart. Jalen Tolbert, a second-year wide receiver, is getting snaps as the team’s third wideout ahead of Gallup, according to the most recent Cowboys news. This modification occurred in Week 13 against the Seahawks, as ESPN’s Ed Werder noted.
“Tolbert started vs. Seahawks on three-receiver formation with Gallup coming in next play,” Werder said on X (formerly known as Twitter) on December 3, 2023. “Clearly seems MG has not been the player since the injury that he was before it; Tolbert is a young player on the rise. Cowboys thought MG would give same production as Amari at half cost.”
It’s crucial to remember that Gallup continues to receive playing time for the offense. Gallup continues to have more offensive snaps (46% versus 36% for Tolbert and 15% for KaVontae Turpin). In Week 12, Tolbert’s 37% of snaps against the Commanders did surpass Gallup’s 33%.
A portion of this information stems from the fact that Dallas is now rotating players among three receiver sets rather than having Gallup occupy the position exclusively. As the postseason draws closer, CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks have established themselves as the team’s top two wide receivers.
Cowboys Rumors: Is This the Season Michael Gallup Leaves Dallas?
Gallup is a veteran receiver whose future in Big D will be decided by Dallas in addition to how he fits into the receiver rotation. The five-year, $57.5 million deal that Gallup signed is expected to last until the 2026 campaign.
In 2024, the receiver’s pay increases to $8.5 million from $1.6 million. Gallup’s cap hit this season ($6.7 million) increases to $13.8 million in 2024, a significant increase.
The Cowboys have the option to cut Gallup this offseason, but doing so will come with a $13 million dead cap hit. Although Dallas will no longer be responsible for the final three years of Gallup’s contract, this does not result in a significant salary cap savings for the upcoming season.
Jalen Tolbert has surpassed Michael Gallup to become the Dallas WR3.
To review earlier Cowboys news, the front office misjudged Gallup’s ability to replace Amari Cooper at a lower cost. While dealing Cooper to the Browns in the 2022 offseason, Dallas made the decision to re-sign Gallup.
In Week 13, Gallup did not record a reception against Seattle. In the previous two weeks, the wideout has only had one reception. In 12 games this season, Gallup has 28 receptions for 357 yards and a touchdown.
In an article published on December 3 under the headline “Michael Gallup is missing in action from the Dallas Cowboys’ revamped explosive offense,” Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram wrote that Gallup had lagged behind free agent veteran acquisition Brandin Cooks and second-year receiver Jalen Tolbert. Tolbert is comparable to Gallup, while Cooks is a different player.
“This roster is not exactly Mariana Trench-deep at wide receiver. More like the kiddie pool.
“Tolbert is not exactly killing it, but at this point this move may simply be more about ‘Getting in the way of progress.’ If you think the guy on the bench has a greater upside than the starter, because the incumbent has hit his ceiling, you switch.”
After a lackluster rookie season in 2022 with just two receptions, it is unclear what Tolbert will do with this new opportunity. Tolbert has 17 catches for 200 yards and 1 touchdown through the first 13 weeks of the season. Tolbert’s performance in his second NFL season has improved dramatically.