The NFL offseason has been filled with headlines involving various former Dallas Cowboys players, including ex-wide receiver Michael Gallup. After stepping away from football last offseason, Gallup returned to the gridiron by signing a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders shortly after the 2025 free agency period began.
Gallup likely joined the Commanders for a few reasons, including a sense of familiarity. Not only is he familiar with Washington due to the team's NFC East rivalry with Dallas, but Gallup also knows Commanders head coach Dan Quinn from the latter's three seasons with the Cowboys (2021-23).
Although reuniting with a former coach can sometimes lead to good things, it didn't take long for Quinn to screw over the ex-Cowboys playmaker.
Dan Quinn Screws Ex-Cowboys WR Michael Gallup With Jaylin Lane Draft Pick
It's safe to say that Gallup's outlook with the Commanders isn't that bright following the 2025 NFL draft. After all, Washington added a promising playmaker to its WR room when it used the 128th overall selection on Virginia Tech's Jaylin Lane.
Lane, 23, is a speedy downfield threat who'll add another dimension to the Commanders' passing game. The South Carolinian pass-catcher amassed 2,532 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns on 203 catches across his five seasons with Middle Tennessee State and Virginia Tech, resulting in All-ACC and All-C-USA honors along the way.
Even though Lane is expected to be a different kind of WR than Gallup (slot threat), the rookie's arrival likely spells bad news for his veteran counterpart.
With Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Noah Brown, and Luke McCaffrey likely occupying the Commanders' top wideout roles, Gallup was already facing an uphill battle to earn playing time. Lane's arrival certainly complicates the ex-Cowboy's outlook, especially with other bubble WRs like K.J. Osborne and Michael Strachan being in the mix.
That's without mentioning how rust could be a risk after Gallup sat out for the entire 2024 campaign. He already looked like he was regressing as his receiving yard totals declined in each of his last four seasons, leaving time to reveal if the former Colorado State product has anything left in the tank.
Fortunately, Cowboys fans will know more about their former receiver's outlook sooner rather than later. The Commanders will begin their organized team activities (OTAs) on Wednesday, May 28, giving Gallup less than three weeks to figure out how he'll impress Quinn's coaching staff as the offseason continues.