Why the Cowboys should keep Michael Gallup

The Dallas Cowboys are rich at the wide receiver position. The names of Dallas pass-catchers are as familiar to NFL fans as to Cowboys fans.

Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup represent what might be the best threesome at the receiving position in football. But, looking beyond the 2021 season, they might also prove to be too costly.

Just last season, Cooper signed a contract that wraps him up for five years. Lamb is playing on a four-year rookie deal. That leaves Gallup.

Gallup was drafted in 2018 and his rookie contract expires after this season. Many have suggested that the best approach for the Cowboys front office would be to trade him. “Get something for him while you can,” seems to be a popular way of addressing the financial challenge.

How Dallas might afford to pay Gallup is one aspect of the conversation. The Dallas Cowboys front office is charged with that responsibility. What I want to focus on is why I think they must keep him.

Gallup is a dynamic talent in his own right

Gallup was a 1,000-yard receiver in 2019. He was well on his way to that again, in 2020, before quarterback Dak Prescott went down to injury (he still finished with 843 yards). Gallup is only 24-years old and is one of the best deep threats in the league.

Gallup provides the Dallas Cowboys an advantage

Teams should not just be looking to compete, they should be looking for competitive advantages. Gallup represents a competitive advantage for the Cowboys. Covering Cooper and Lamb (throw in tight ends Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz, and running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard) is hard enough. Add Gallup to the mix and it’s impossible.

The Cowboys seem to be transitioning to a more pass-oriented approach

This shifted after the Prescott injury, but before that, it was evident that the run-first mentality of previous seasons was giving way to a devastating air attack. Retaining Gallup would allow the Cowboys to continue on that pathway and seems to be the NFL’s wave of the future.

Michael Gallup is the right kind of guy

A person’s character is never more on display than in times of tragedy. When Michael Gallup lost his brother to suicide, he was heartbroken but continued to have a tremendous rookie season. In virtually every interview concerning matters on the field or the news off the field, Gallup is stellar.

Dare to differ

There will be many who continue to argue that fans have an inflated view of Gallup’s worth. I believe his absence would prove those views wrong.