San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
WR Gallup plans to ‘take it up a notch’
DALLAS — The relief was palpable in Michael Gallup’s voice.
No more waiting for a new contract. No more uncertainty about his long-term Dallas future.
“Man,” Gallup said Thursday in a conference call. “It’s definitely a big blessing to get it done. I wanted to be here. … The Cowboys had faith in me.”
After a bit of time, he can reward it.
The wide receiver signed a five-year, $62.5 million extension this week. Beyond the excitement of his new contract, Gallup’s focus is on getting healthy. He addressed Cowboys reporters for the first time since tearing his left ACL on Jan. 2 and undergoing knee surgery on Feb. 10.
Gallup, yet to resume running, declined to convey a timetable on his return.
He won’t participate in the Cowboys’ spring workout program, and he is expected to open training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform List. He will work closely with director of rehabilitation Britt Brown toward a potential September return to the field.
Sources have characterized Gallup as unlikely to be ready for the season’s start. But naturally, he hopes he is.
“It’s definitely a goal,” Gallup said. “I mean, you don’t want to miss no games. But you still just can’t put a timetable on it.
That’s obviously the goal — you want to play as soon as possible. But you’ve got to make sure you’re right before you go out there.”
CeeDee Lamb and Gallup will be the faces of a wide receiver group that no longer includes Amari Cooper or Cedrick Wilson.
Cooper was traded this week to the Cleveland Browns. Wilson signed with the Miami Dolphins.
The Cowboys will add to the
position in the weeks to come. A veteran signing and draft pick are both likely.
As a deep threat, Gallup looks to expand his versatility, playing
more in the slot.
“Obviously, when I get back out there, you’ve got to take it up a notch,” Gallup said. “They put all their faith in me, so I need to put all my work into the team. Got to be a leader vocally. Got to be a leader physically out there on the field. Just let them know they can count on me.
“You’ve already seen what CeeDee can do. He’s going to bring the same energy, and that’s what we’re going to do moving forward.”
First two outside free agents added
Outside reinforcements have arrived.
Michael Gallup. Malik Hooker. Dalton Schultz. After the early days surrounding free agency featured the Cowboys retaining their own, they agreed Friday to one-year contracts with former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington and ex-Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dante Fowler, sources said.
Washington and Fowler soften, but don’t fill, the recent departures of wide receivers Cooper and Wilson, and defensive end Randy Gregory, who signed with the Denver Broncos. But these moves are a start. Washington spent his entire four-year NFL career in Pittsburgh, his best season coming in 2019, when he caught 44 of 80 passes for 735 yards and three touchdowns.
Fowler and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn are familiar, dating back to their time in Florida when Fowler was a freshman and Quinn was in his second of two years as the Gators’ coordinator.
Fowler became the Jacksonville Jaguars’ No. 3 overall pick in 2015. After a two-year stint with the Los Angeles Rams, which included a 2019 season with 11½ sacks, Fowler joined the Falcons in 2020. Quinn was their head coach. Fowler managed 7½ sacks in two years.