The Dallas Cowboys made a pair of significant moves on Friday, releasing linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and wide receiver Michael Gallup.
According to Cowboy’s announcement, Vander Esch was released with a failed physical designation, while Gallup is post-June 1 cut.
The Cowboys are expected to save around $2 million by releasing Vander Esch. Moving on from Gallup, on the other hand, saves the franchise $9.5 million in salary cap in 2024 but comes with $8.7 million in dead money in 2025. Additionally, the Cowboys avoid having Gallup’s salary become guaranteed for this upcoming season.
Vander Esch was drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cowboys and made the Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro in his rookie season. However, a series of neck injuries prevented the former Boise State product from building on the great start of his pro career. He only played a full season once since then and was limited to five games in 2023.
Gallup was part of the same draft class as Vander Esch, being a third-round pick out of Colorado State. His best year as a pro came in 2019 when he had 66 catches for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns. Gallup suffered a torn ACL in 2021 and was never the same player again. He finished 2023 with 34 receptions for a career-low 418 yards.
