Since the Dallas Cowboys and Michael Gallup are heading into an uncertain offseason, Heavy spoke with the receiver in an exclusive interview during which we had a candid chat about his future as a free agent, the state of the team and his efforts to give back thanks to your partnership with Sleep Number.
Gallup revealed that he will undergo surgery on February 10 to repair a cruciate ligament injury, but did not specify an estimated return date except to say that he hopes to “heal quickly.” When asked about his expectations regarding free agency, Gallup admitted that he hopes “I’ve done enough here in Dallas … to get what I deserve.” Gallup was referencing last season when the receiver played in nine games scoring 35 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns while missing a significant amount of time due to multiple injuries.
“I hope I’ve done enough here in Dallas the last four years to get what I deserve,” Gallup told Heavy in a Feb. 9 interview. “I know that last year was not the best for me, but I hope I have done enough so that the injury I suffered does not weigh too heavily. That’s what I hope to get as a free agent.”
Gallup optimistic, but Cowboys ‘haven’t talked to me too much’ about the future
Gallup said there hasn’t been much dialogue yet with the Cowboys about his future, but the wide receiver remains optimistic the team “will work with me on it.” The challenge for the Cowboys is that the team is already $21.6 million over the salary cap heading into next season. according to Over the Cap. To have even the slightest chance of keeping Gallup, the team probably needs to cut several key players currently on the roster.
“Well, I know the Cowboys like having me on their team, so,” Gallup explained. “Honestly, I haven’t been told too much [acerca del futuro]. I just have a feeling that they may work with me on that, they may. So, we’ll see how it goes.”
Gallup on free agency: ‘I think someone could offer me a long-term contract’
Pro Football Focus rankea Gallup as the No. 5 receiver in free agency this offseason and projects the playmaker will get a four-year, $13.75 million-a-year deal. This kind of contract would still be a cheaper option for the Cowboys than retaining Amari Cooper, who has a $20 million salary for each of the next three seasons.
The Cowboys have a way out of Cooper’s contract that would allow the team to save a significant amount in terms of salary cap. As for the possibility of signing a short-term contract in case a more lucrative one is not found, Gallup admitted that his future “is uncertain.”
“I think someone might offer me a long-term deal, and I think if I need to try it one more time I’m pretty sure I can do that too,” Gallup replied when asked if he would consider taking a short-term deal.
While it wasn’t directly related to free agency, we talked about Gallup’s transition from being the WR1 during his college career at Colorado State to sharing targets with other star wide receivers. Gallup admitted that he would love to be “that guy,” but that the NFL is full of “other good players” as well.
“I mean I think everybody wants to be that guy, you want to be that man, you want all the targets, you want to catch him,” Gallup explained. “There are other good players in the league as well, so I think you have to take that into account. Especially with me, hell, I have Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb out there. They both came out in the first round, phenomenal athletes. So when the catches come your way you have to make them count, and I think I did pretty well.”
Prescott’s message to Gallup: ‘Dak told me I can’t go anywhere’
Someone on Gallup’s side is franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. Gallup noted that Prescott has told the receiver that he “can’t go anywhere,” but the quarterback also alluded to the large $160 million contract who earned last offseason despite coming off multiple ankle surgeries.
“Man, Dak has been telling me I can’t go anywhere since the season started,” Gallup said of his conversations with the Cowboys QB1. “I definitely know he wants me here, but he has also told me that even though he suffered the injury he got what he was owed.”
“So I’m not too worried about it from that perspective, but he’s certainly been in my ear a lot telling me I need to be here. So I will definitely take that into account.”
Sleep Number to Donate $5,000 to the Andrew Murray Gallup Memorial Fund
Gallup’s partnership with Sleep Number it’s helping him not only rest as he prepares for the upcoming NFL season, but it also allows the star to give back. Sleep Number will donate $5,000 to the Andrew Murray Gallup Memorial Fund, which was created in honor of the recipient’s late brother.
“Sleep Number is a company with a purpose, and they are helping Michael fulfill his purpose as well,” the company explained to Heavy. “Thanks to Sleep Number, $5,000 will be donated to the Andrew Murray Gallup Memorial Fund, created in honor of Michael’s brother, who was born in West Africa and loved learning. The fund gives children in Africa the possibility of accessing a quality education and a series of personal opportunities.”
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