Gallup agreed to terms on a five-year deal, $62.5 million deal to remain in Dallas. The deal includes a $10 million signing bonus.
What it means: It came down to Amari Cooper or Gallup. The Cowboys agreed to trade Cooper and his $20 million base salary that would have become gully guaranteed on the fifth day of the league year to the Cleveland Browns and were able to keep Gallup before the market opened. Gallup has been a big-play receiver for the Cowboys since they drafted him in the third round in 2018. He has one 1,000-yard season to his credit but he can make the contested catches and quarterback Dak Prescott isn’t afraid to go his way. Gallup just turned 26 and the Cowboys believe his best football is ahead of him. The signing won’t stop the Cowboys from looking for another receiver in free agency or early in the upcoming draft.
What’s the risk: He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in January and did not have surgery until February. When will he be 100%? The Cowboys are confident he will be ready for game action in September. That is a quick turnaround, but Gallup has complete faith in director of rehabilitation Britt Brown to get him right. The Cowboys are also taking a big-picture view here with a five-year deal. Once he is on the field, can Gallup become a consistent 1,000-yard receiver? Without Cooper, pressure ratchets up on Gallup and CeeDee Lamb as they move up in the pecking order offensively. The Cowboys believe both can do it.
McQuaide agreed to a one-year, minimum-salary benefit deal.
What it means: The Cowboys might not know who their kicker will be after cutting Greg Zuerlein, and they might not know who their punter will be with Bryan Anger expected to get a bigger deal, but they know they have McQuaide back. In his first year replacing L.P. Ladouceur and his 11th year in the league, he did not have a poor snap. The Cowboys may bring Zuerlein back at a lower price and maybe Anger won’t get top-end punter money, but at least they know they have a solid snapper in McQuaide.
What’s the risk? None. McQuade turns 35 in July but he is healthy and dependable, two things you want in a deep snapper. The contract will not make much of a dent in the cap.
Lawrence agreed to a new three-year deal with $30 million in guarantees, but more importantly the re-worked contract opens up much needed cap room this year.
What it means: : The Cowboys have their defensive leader and if you want to say Micah Parsons is their best defender now, fine, then they have their second-best defender back in the fold. The Cowboys would not have been a better defense without Lawrence. While he has 14.5 sacks over the last three seasons, he ranks among the best pass-rushers in terms of pass rush win rate. He is a stout run defender and can affect the passing game as well. His presence makes Parsons better.
What’s the risk: It’s purely medical. He missed 10 games last year because of a broken foot that required surgery. He has had three back surgeries. But prior to last season he had gone four straight years without missing a game. He turns 30 in April, but the Cowboys believe he has plenty left in the tank. The Cowboys did not want to lose Lawrence and they were able to figure out a way to keep him financially and make their defense better.
Be the first to comment