The Dallas Cowboys are freeing up some money on the salary cap by releasing wide receiver Michael Gallup and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, according to multiple reports.
According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News and Todd Archer of ESPN, the Cowboys will designate Gallup as a post-June 1 cut and save $9.5 million in 2024 cap space, but he'll count $8.7 million against the 2025 cap. Gallup was under contract for the next three seasons with cap hits of $13.850 million, $15.850 million and $15.850 million. The deal called for him to earn a $4 million injury guarantee if he were on the roster Sunday.
Gallup was never the same player following his return from a torn ACL he suffered in Jan. 2022. Gallup had just 39 catches for 424 yards and four touchdowns in 14 regular season games in 2022 and 34 catches for 418 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular season games in 2023.
Vander Esch, who was released with a "failed physical designation," missed the final 12 games of the season with a neck injury. There are rumblings that Vander Esch may decide to retire this offseason but the linebacker has not formally announced a decision on his future.
Vander Esch, 28, has dealt with neck issues since his time at Boise State, had neck surgery in Dec. 2019 after being diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis. The injury limited him to just nine games during the 2019 season. He missed three games in 2022 due to a neck stinger, which was reportedly unrelated to his previous injury.
Vander Esch, who signed a two-year deal, $11 million deal with Dallas in the offseason, was ranked second on the team with 20 total tackles when he was injured.
Vander Esch, the 19th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, was a Pro Bowler as a rookie that season. In his six seasons with Dallas, he had 469 tackles, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions in 65 starts.
This is a developing news story.