ESPN names one Cowboys player who needs a change of scenery this offseason

One particular player on the Dallas Cowboys would benefit from a change of scenery over the offseason, according to ESPN. Despite still having years remaining on his current contract, wide receiver Michael Gallup was listed as a player who could use a fresh start.

So, why Gallup? Well, here's what ESPN had to say:

"The Cowboys signed Gallup to a five-year, $57.5 million deal in 2022, knowing he was coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but it hasn't worked out. He caught 39 passes in 2022 and 34 passes in 2023, when his health was no longer a problem. The Cowboys are looking at a deal that would make CeeDee Lamb one of the highest-paid receivers this offseason and will need all the cap room they can get.

"On the fifth day of the league year, $4 million of Gallup's $8.5 million base salary becomes guaranteed, so a decision on his future will need to be made quickly. The one tricky part: Gallup had his first 100-yard game since the knee injury in the playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. Would that provide enough promise to keep him?"

Michael Gallup's diminishing role with the Cowboys

After a pretty productive start to his career that saw him compile 2,457 yards over his first three seasons, Gallup's production has stagnated in the three seasons since. He hasn't caught over 40 balls or had over 450 receiving yards in a season since 2020, despite the high-octane nature of Dallas' offense.

Perhaps even more telling is the fact that Gallup only played 52 percent of available offensive snaps for Dallas last season. That number was by far the lowest of his entire career. Prior to last season, he had never played less than 69 percent of offensive snaps, and he had played over 75 percent in each of the previous four seasons.

Given Gallup's diminishing role in Dallas' offense, it wouldn't be a shock if the two sides parted ways over the offseason. As pointed out by ESPN, the Cowboys will likely be looking to sign Lamb to a sizeable extension, and moving off of Gallup's deal could potentially open up some cap space.

When it comes to Gallup's future in Dallas, March 18 is an important date to keep an eye on. On that date, $4 million of Gallup's 2024 salary becomes fully guaranteed. It will be interesting to see how, or if, that date impacts Dallas' offseason approach.

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