8 Cowboys off to disappointing starts eight weeks into the 2023 season

Michael Gallup, WR

2023 was supposed to be a resurgence season for Gallup. After suffering an ACL injury late in the 2021 campaign, Gallup struggled to rebound in 2022. Significant knee injuries such as his are often followed by months of rehab and down season, so his struggles last year weren’t completely unexpected.

The Cowboys likely kept his recovery period in mind when they re-sign the injured Gallup to a five-year, $57,500,000 deal back in the offseason of 2022.

2023 was the season everyone was expecting to see the Gallup of old. The guy who dominated the deep sideline and routinely won contested catches and jump ball situations for years. 2023 was supposed to be big for Gallup.

Yet, eight weeks into the season, Gallup has just 22 receptions for 243 yards. He’s on pace for 47 receptions and 516 yards, and is posting one of his worst seasons as a pro.

The calls to replace Gallup in the lineup have grown loudly in the early weeks of this season. Second year player Jalen Tolbert has seen an increase in snaps in recent weeks and seems to bring an extra level of flash to the Dallas passing game.

Gallup has been amongst the worst in separation and contested ball situations and not only finds himself playing for snaps, but his roster spot beyond this season.

Despite being just two years into his shiny new deal, Dallas has an out following this season. Designating him as a post June 1 cut, they will save $9,500,000 in cap space.

Gallup is a homegrown talent who’s spent his entire career with the Cowboys. Everyone wants him to succeed. But halfway through the season, it’s hard to argue he’s been anything other than a major disappointment