Dallas Cowboys’ Michael Gallup to ‘take it up a notch’ as Amari Cooper’s replacement
The first player who reached out to wide receiver Michael Gallup after he signed his five-year, $62.5 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys was the guy who was replace.d
There was never a secret that the Cowboys decision to pay Gallup despite an ACL injury that could prevent him from being ready for the start of the 2022 season was connected to their decision to trade Amari Cooper to Cleveland Browns and rid themselves of his $20 million salary.
“I love Amari Cooper,” Gallup said. “He taught me so many things. I wish him the best. He is a great player and great friend. He was the first one who hit me up when I got the new deal and he let me know I am that dude.
“He’s a lifelong friend to me.”
Gallup plans to live up to Cooper’s statement and reward the Cowboys for the faith they showed in him when he is able to return to the field.
“When I get back out there, you got to take it up a notch,” Gallup said. “They put all their faith in me, so I’ve got to put the work into the team, got to be a leader vocally, got to be a leader physically on the field.”
Exactly when Gallup will be able to get back on the field is unknown, though the obvious goal is to be ready for Week 1. But he wants to make sure he is right when he returns.
“As soon as possible,” said Gallup, adding that he’s trusting in the athletic staff and rehab process, and that his return does not have a specific timetable.
“Right now, it’s me working out, upper body, getting in the pool, on the bike, standing on one leg as [long] I can. You want to do it the right way.”
When Gallup tore his ACL on Jan. 2, he initially worried that it may impact his ability to stay in Dallas and get a good deal, as he was facing the unknown of free agency.
Gallup has caught 193 passes for 2,902 yards and 15 touchdowns in 55 regular season games. His best season was in 2019, when he caught 66 passes for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns while serving as the Cowboys’ No. 2 receiver. Last season, limited by injuries, he caught 35 passes for 445 yards in just nine games.
But the Cowboys never wavered in their support of him and quarterback Dak Prescott was his biggest ally. “I ain’t going to lie to you: Dak knew I was going to be here for long haul,” Gallup said. “That man’s had faith in me since Day 1. He wanted me to be here.”
And when Gallup got his Cowboys extension done, Prescott walked into training room, hugged him and said, “Get that knee right, it’s time to get to work.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 3:03 PM.
