Cowboys working towards long-term contract with wide receiver

The Cowboys are looking to work out a long-term deal to keep Michael Gallup in Dallas despite the receiver coming off an ACL injury.

The debate over whether Dallas should move forward with Amari Cooper or Michael Gallup may continue on social media but it’s pretty clear which way the Cowboys are moving.

Cooper still looks likely to be traded or cut while Gallup is apparently about to get a deal to keep him around for the long term.

On Monday, Mike Garofolo of NFL Network reported some details about Dallas’ negotiations with Gallup.

Cowboys working on a long-term contract for Michael Gallup

“The #Cowboys are confident in WR Michael Gallup’s medicals after his torn ACL and that’s why they’re working to close out a long-term deal that would pay Gallup over $10 million per season,” Garafolo tweeted.

He added on NFL Now that the deal Dallas is working on could be for five years and worth more than $10 million per season.

Gallup made $2.4 million in 2021 so he’s due for a big pay raise. Then again, since Cooper is slated to make $20 million in 2022, his deal would be a relative discount for the team. They need that as they navigate cap issues.

The hard part is knowing if Dallas will be able to rely on Gallup to the degree they could with Cooper.

In 2021 Cooper had 68 receptions for 65 yards and eight touchdowns. Gallup played just nine games, missing time with a calf strain before the ACL tear in January. He totaled 35 catches for 445 yards and two touchdowns.

With Cooper out of the picture, Gallup will be expected to play a much bigger role in the offense. He’ll have to do that while recovering from a major knee injury.

At least Cowboys fans can lean on the reported positivity around the extent of Gallup’s injury. Even so, Gallup will likely need time to ease back into action this season.