Michael Gallup, Former Cowboys, Raiders Receiver, Suddenly Retires From NFL

Michael Gallup, a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys and, most recently, Las Vegas Raiders, has suddenly retired from the National Football League.

Gallup was placed on the reserved/retired list on Tuesday evening by the Raiders.

Gallup, 28, signed a one-year deal with the Raiders in April after spending the first six years of his career with the Cowboys. However, he’s apparently experienced a change of heart, and is instead retiring from the NFL altogether.

Gallup was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cowboys. The Colorado State product had a solid rookie season — reeling in 33 catches for 507 yards — before breaking out in his second year.

In 2019, Gallup emerged as a serious weapon for the Cowboys, catching 66 passes for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns in just 14 games. He then followed that up with another impressive season in 2020, securing 59 receptions for 843 yards and five touchdowns.

Gallup struggled to find a consistent role in the Cowboys’ offense over the last three seasons. From 2021-23, Gallup caught a total of 108 passes for 1,287 yards and eight touchdowns. Then, he hit free agency, and ended up joining the Raiders on a one-year deal worth $1.75 million.

Training camp got underway for the Raiders on Tuesday, but at the end of the day, Gallup was placed on the reserved/retired list. At 28 years old, he’s electing to hang up his cleats.

Gallup had a healthy 2023 season after tearing his ACL in Week 17 of the 2021-22 season. Other injuries he’s dealt with in his six-year NFL career include a calf strain in Sept. 2021, a hip strain in Dec. 2020, and a meniscus tear in Sept. 2019.

No reason has been given for Gallup’s retirement as of this writing.

With Gallup gone, the Raiders will now be without one of their expected wide receiver contributors for the 2024-25 season.

Davante Adams remains the star wide receiver in Las Vegas. Lining up alongside him will likely be Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker. Other receivers competing for playing time entering training camp include Jalen Guyton, Kristian Wilkerson, and DJ Turner.

More news: Raiders’ Davante Adams Reacts to Trade Rumors

Gallup was born in Atlanta in March 1996. He played football, baseball, basketball, and ran track at Monroe Area High School, and was a quarterback his junior year before transitioning to wide receiver and running back his senior year.

He attended Butler Community College for two years before transferring to Colorado State in 2016. He was named a Consensus All-American in 2017.

Gallup finishes his NFL career with 266 receptions, 3,744 yards, and 21 touchdowns.