DALLAS COWBOYS
Dallas Cowboys

Former 1,000 yard Cowboys wide receiver set to come out of retirement: Why did he leave NFL?

Michael Gallup retired unexpectedly after g with the Raiders, but now he's ready for an NFL comeback in 2025.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) works with a trainer...
Wide receiver Michael GallupLM OteroAP Photo

After abruptly retiring in the 2024 offseason, the 29-year-old wide receiver now plans to play in 2025, according to NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Gallup, once considered a rising star with the Dallas Cowboys, is looking for a fresh opportunity after stepping away from football last year.

Gallup made his NFL debut with the Cowboys in 2018 and quickly emerged as a reliable playmaker. His breakout season came in 2019 when he recorded 66 catches for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns. He followed that performance with a solid 2020 season, posting 59 receptions for 843 yards and five touchdowns.

Jerry Jones expresses total frustration after his Dallas Cowboys got annihilated by the Philadelphia Eagles at home

A promising career derailed by injuries

However, his career took a downturn after he suffered a torn ACL in 2021. The injury limited his effectiveness in 2022, and by 2023, he had fallen down the Cowboys' depth chart, finishing with just 34 catches for 418 yards and two touchdowns. As a result, Dallas allowed him to leave in free agency, leading to a one-year contract with the Las VegasRaiders.

Gallup's stint with the Raiders was brief. Just three months after g, he shocked the football world by announcing his retirement at 28 years old.

Can Gallup find a new NFL home?

Now, after taking time off to recover both physically and mentally, Gallup is eager to prove he still belongs in the league. While the wide receiver market is competitive, teams are always looking for experienced -catchers, and Gallup's past production could make him an intriguing option.

At his peak, he was a dependable target and a strong complement to CeeDee Lamb in Dallas. Whether he can regain that form remains to be seen, but his determination to return suggests he's not done with football yet.

With the 2025 season approaching, the question is whether an NFL team will take a chance on Gallup and give him the opportunity to restart his career.

Dallas CowboysCowboys legend presses Dak Prescott to restructure his contract so they can sign Micah Parsons
Dallas CowboysJerry Jones, 82, faces questions about keeping up in an evolving NFL
Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys set sights on controversial college star to bolster defensive line