The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of work to do before they are on the same level as the Washington Commanders, who have followed their NFC Championship Game appearance with a highly aggressive free agency that has seen them add multiple marquee players.
It's impossible to project year-to-year regression, but Dan Quinn is positioned as well as any head coach to dethrone the Philadelphia Eagles in the conference.
Unlike last offseason, Quinn has not emphasized signing former Cowboys. In fact, it was Dallas that stole Washington's top pass-rusher from last season in Dante Fowler.
It didn't take long to counter the Fowler signing by snatching a former Cowboy. ESPN insider Adam Schefter is reporting the Commanders have signed Michael Gallup, who previously unretired as he attempts an NFL comeback.
Dan Quinn's Commanders reportedly sign ex-Cowboys WR Michael Gallup out of retirement
Commanders signed former Cowboys WR Michael Gallup. pic.twitter.com/LHGAPSHsVF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 20, 2025
The Washington Cowboys strike again.
The Commanders were the first team Gallup visited after he announced his comeback. While Gallup also took a visit with the Seahawks this week, it felt inevitable that he'd wind up back with Quinn, who was the Cowboys' defensive coordinator for Gallup's final three seasons with the organization.
Despite trading for former All-Pro Deebo Samuel, Washington has been in the market for a wide receiver in free agency. They lost Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown and pivoted by re-signing former Cowboy Noah Brown as well as vet K.J. Osborn.
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It stands to reason they aren't done adding to the room. In the meantime, Gallup plugs a hole at the bottom of the depth chart and will provide added competition in training camp.
It never seemed likely that Dallas would kick the tires on a Gallup reunion.
While prime Gallup was as fun to watch as any receiver in the league, his final few seasons with the Cowboys following ACL surgery were really subpar. He appeared in 31 games between 2022 and '23 and managed just 73 catches for 842 yards and six touchdowns.
Gallup could still come down with contested catches, but he struggled to get open against press coverage and was eventually leapfrogged in the pecking order by Jalen Tolbert in 2023. It's unfortunate, but his knee surgery completely derailed his career.
It will be difficult for Cowboys fans to root for Gallup now that he signed with the enemy, but he is such a good dude. He deserves a better ending to his career. If that means becoming a role player for Washington, then so be it.
As for Quinn, how can you be shocked at this point?
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