Michael Gallup, a wide receiver who played for the Dallas Cowboys and most recently for the Las Vegas Raiders, has made a sudden decision to retire from the National Football League.
The Raiders placed Gallup on the reserved/retired list on Tuesday evening.
Aged 28, Gallup had signed a one-year contract with the Raiders in April after spending the initial six years of his professional career with the Cowboys. However, he has had a change of heart and has chosen to retire from professional football altogether.
Drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cowboys, Gallup showed promise in his rookie year with 33 catches for 507 yards before truly shining in his sophomore season.
In 2019, Gallup emerged as a valuable asset for the Cowboys, amassing 66 receptions for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns in just 14 games. He followed that up with another strong season in 2020, securing 59 catches for 843 yards and five touchdowns.
Despite his talents, Gallup faced challenges finding a consistent role in the Cowboys’ offense in the past three seasons. During 2021-23, he caught a total of 108 passes for 1,287 yards and eight touchdowns before becoming a free agent and subsequently joining the Raiders on a one-year deal worth $1.75 million.
While the Raiders’ training camp started on Tuesday, Gallup’s inclusion on the reserved/retired list marked his decision to retire at the age of 28.
Having endured various injuries throughout his NFL career, including a torn ACL in late 2021 and other strains and tears, Gallup concluded his career without offering a specific reason for his retirement.
With Gallup’s unexpected departure, the Raiders will have to adjust their wide receiver lineup for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
The star wide receiver in Las Vegas remains Davante Adams, likely supported by Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, while competing receivers such as Jalen Guyton, Kristian Wilkerson, and DJ Turner vie for increased playing time at training camp.
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Gallup, born in Atlanta in March 1996, was a multi-sport athlete at Monroe Area High School before transitioning to college football, where he achieved recognition as a Consensus All-American at Colorado State in 2017.
Finishing his NFL career with 266 receptions, 3,744 yards, and 21 touchdowns, Gallup leaves behind a legacy of offensive contributions on the field.