One of the most frustrating parts about the Dallas Cowboys refusing to spend big in free agency is that their foremost rivals have deployed a full-court press to improve their rosters.
Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders are no exception. After co-piloting one of the most historic spending sprees in NFL history last offseason, Quinn is arguably off to a better start since this year's legal tampering period got underway.
While the Commanders made a gross overpay in Javon Kinlaw, they made the biggest non-quarterback trade of the offseason when they acquired standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Texans. They have also traded for 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel and retained a number of key veterans, including Bobby Wagner, Zach Erz and Zane Gonzalez.
There's no evidence to suggest Washington will slow down anytime soon. After all, they have yet to sign any former Cowboys, which was a major theme of their shopping spree last year.
That could change in the near future.
Dan Quinn, Commanders show interest in former Cowboys WR Michael Gallup
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Commanders hosted old friend Michael Gallup for a free agency visit on Tuesday.
Gallup retired last offseason after struggling to rediscover his star form following ACL surgery in 2022. The former Cowboys third-round pick is looking to make a comeback after a year out of the league and has been released from the Raiders' reserve/retired list.
The Cowboys predictably cut Gallup with a post-June 1 designation last March. The move saved $9.5 million on the cap in 2024 but will count $8.7 million in dead money this upcoming season. That dead cap hit tells you just how little Gallup contributed over the years.
More news: Cowboys caught sleeping as Falcons splurge on star DE after Payton Turner deal
There was some hope that Gallup would bounce back in 2023 two years removed from his knee injury, but it didn't come to pass. He tallied career-lows in receiving yards and touchdowns and caught just 35 passes. He was phased out of the offense by the middle of the season.
It makes sense why Washington is the first team to show intest in Gallup. Quinn saw plenty of him in Dallas and they could use another depth receiver after Dyami Brown got a one-year, $10 million from the Jaguars. Olamide Zaccheaus, Noah Brown, Jamison Crowder and K.J. Osborn are all free agents as well.
The Cowboys also need help at receiver, but they have more bodies than their rival. Between Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks and Ryan Flournoy, Dallas needs a WR2 far more than they do more competition in the middle of the depth chart.
Gallup is such a stand-up dude that it would be hard to root against him if he ends up with Washington.
However, it would be another brutal reminder for Cowboys fans that Quinn and the Commanders are leaving no stone unturned to improve their roster while the Joneses twiddle their thumbs and soak in mediocrity.