Cowboys release Gallup and Vander Esch
DALLAS — After six seasons, the Dallas Cowboys are moving on from Michael Gallup.
The team informed Gallup’s agent Friday they have released the deep-threat wide receiver, a person close to the situation told The Dallas Morning News. Gallup was due an $8.5 million salary next season. Of it, $4 million stood to become fully guaranteed if he remained on the roster Sunday.
The Cowboys also released linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, cutting ties with two of their top three picks from the 2018 draft. Vander Esch was released with a failed physical designation after missing 12 games with a neck injury in 2023.
The injury was the fourth since 2019 involving the 28-year-old and was considered careerthreatening.
Gallup was the fourthhighest paid offensive player on the Cowboys’ 2024 books, trailing only quarterback Dak Prescott, guard Zack Martin and wide receiver Ceedee Lamb.
Gallup suffered a torn left ACL and MCL on Jan. 2, 2022.
The Cowboys signed him to a five-year, $62.5 million extension two months later while parting with Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson that same offseason.
Gallup, who turned 28 on March 4, finished with 34 catches for 418 yards and two scores.
Eagles trade for Steelers’ Pickett
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles, multiple sources told the Associated Press. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not official.
Pittsburgh will receive a third-round pick in this year’s NFL draft and two seventh-round choices in the 2025 draft in exchange for Pickett and Pittsburgh’s fourth-round pick this year.
The trade comes just hours after the Steelers signed nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal to compete for the starting job after a troubled stint with the Broncos.
Rams’ Donald says he’s retiring
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald has announced his retirement after a standout 10-year career with the Los Angeles Rams.
The three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year made his surprising announcement on social media Friday.
The 32-year-old Donald spent his entire career with the Rams, who drafted him in the first round in 2014 out of Pitt. The Pittsburgh native was selected for 10 Pro Bowls and eight All-pro first teams.
“Throughout my career, I have given my everything to football both mentally and physically — 365 days a year was dedicated to becoming the best possible player I could be,” Donald said in a statement. “I respected this game like no other, and I’m blessed to be able to conclude my NFL career with the same franchise that drafted me.”
Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt are the only other players to win the defensive player of the year award three times.
49ers, Campbell agree on contract
The San Francisco 49ers found their help at linebacker, agreeing to a one-year deal with free agent De’vondre Campbell.
A person familiar with the move said on Friday that Campbell will sign with San Francisco as soon as he passes a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move hadn’t been announced.
The Niners were looking for help at linebacker with the status of Dre Greenlaw in question after he tore his Achilles tendon during the Super Bowl loss against Kansas City.
Browns hiring Vrabel as analyst
Former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, fired in January after consecutive losing seasons, landed as an analyst and personnel consultant for the Cleveland Browns on Friday.
Vikings, Texans trade draft picks
The Minnesota Vikings acquired Houston’s firstround pick in a pre-draft trade Friday, giving them the 11th and 23rd overall selections as potential capital toward their next franchise quarterback.
The Vikings sent their second-round pick and one of their sixth-round picks for this year and their second-round pick in 2025 to the Texans in exchange for the 23rd overall pick and a seventh-rounder this year. The deal leaves Houston without a first-rounder, for now.
Hall joining Bucs on one-year deal
Free agent cornerback Bryce Hall and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to a one-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.
The Bucs added him one day after finalizing a two-year, $9 million deal with former Jets safety Jordan Whitehead.
Rams agree to terms with Curl
Safety Kamren Curl agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams on Friday.
Curl’s deal is worth $8.75 million and could be worth up to $12.75 million.
Curl spent his first four seasons with the Commanders, who drafted him out of Arkansas in the seventh round. He became a key component of the defense, earning a starting job midway through his rookie year.