The Las Vegas Raiders have officially released wide receiver Michael Gallup from the reserve-retired list, signaling his intent to return to the NFL in 2025. Gallup, now 29, unexpectedly retired just before the start of the Raiders’ training camp in 2024. His decision came after signing a one-year contract worth up to $3 million with the team in April. Despite participating in offseason training activities and minicamp, he stepped away before playing a game for the Raiders.
Gallup’s Rise with Cowboys and Struggles After ACL Injury in 2021
Before joining the Raiders, Gallup spent six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, where he developed into a reliable offensive weapon. During his tenure with the Cowboys, he recorded 266 receptions for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns. His most productive season came in 2019 when he tallied 66 catches for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns over 14 games, marking his only 1,000-yard season.
Michael Gallup (NFL)Gallup’s career trajectory changed after he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee late in the 2021 season. Despite this setback, the Cowboys showed faith in him by signing him to a five-year, $57.5 million contract in 2022. However, he struggled to regain his prior form, averaging just 842 yards and six touchdowns across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Notably, he failed to record a single 100-yard game during this period, leading to his eventual release from Dallas.
Raiders Restructure Offensive Line, Set to Replace Andre James with Rookie Center
Alongside Gallup’s release, the Raiders are also planning to part ways with starting center Andre James at the beginning of the new league year. James signed a three-year, $24 million extension last offseason but was limited to 13 games, with 11 starts, during the 2024 campaign. Releasing James will free up $1.5 million in salary cap space for Las Vegas as they look to reshape their offensive line.
With James set to depart, the Raiders are expected to promote rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson as their starting center. Powers-Johnson, a standout at Oregon, played 400 snaps at center and 504 at guard in his first NFL season. He was a Rimington Trophy winner and a unanimous All-American in 2023, making him a promising option for the role. His transition to a starting position will be a key storyline for the Raiders as they continue their roster overhaul.