In the 2021 season, the Dallas Cowboys have one of the best receiving teams in the NFL. But after paying Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, the electrifying trio of Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup might not stay together for long.
During the 2020 offseason, Dallas made significant investments in wide receiver. The front office signed Cooper to a $100 million contract and spent the No. 17 pick on CeeDee lamb, seizing the opportunity to draft an elite 2020 NFL Draft prospect.
This trio will be a major reason why the Cowboys have one of the NFL’s most successful offenses in 2021. Jerry Jones might have to choose between his two offensive stars due to financial constraints and a rising salary cap.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote, the Cowboys’ upcoming “money crunch” might force the front office to choose between Cooper and Gallup next offseason.
Will the Dallas Cowboys sign Michael Gallup again?
Dallas is currently projected to be $24 million over the salary cap next season, per OvertheCap. While the organization knows how good Gallup is, they can’t even approach the figures Gallup will receive on the open market in free agency.
Gallup will be returning to Dallas next season in one way. The Cowboys can release Cooper or trade him next spring for $15 million in cap relief. This savings is even more if it’s after June 1.
Gallup might be more financially sensible. He is younger, and has shown the ability to keep his health in good shape over the past two seasons. He would likely be able to land a lucrative contract in the next offseason but any deal he signs will probably not exceed a $20 million per year salary.
The Dallas Cowboys have already stated that a Gallup extension will not be coming this year. This makes sense for both parties. This incredible trio will be enjoyed by fans in 2021. However, the story of the 2022 NFL offseason will be fascinating because of the likely decision.