“Dallas Cowboys Delayed Inevitable Decisions Regarding Leighton Vander Esch and Michael Gallup”
The Dallas Cowboys held off on making the inevitable decisions regarding linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and wide receiver Michael Gallup until Friday, when both were officially informed of their release. Their departures had been anticipated since the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Vander Esch, who is expected to retire, was released with a failed physical designation due to a neck injury that caused him to miss the final 12 games of last year. Meanwhile, the Cowboys allowed Gallup to explore trade options, but no viable offers materialized. Had Gallup remained on the roster through Saturday, $4 million of his $8.5 million base salary would have become guaranteed. Therefore, Gallup was released with a post-June 1 designation, resulting in a savings of $9.5 million in cap space for the Cowboys this year.
Vander Esch, aged 28, was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft and made an immediate impact as a rookie, leading the Cowboys with 178 tackles and earning a Pro Bowl nod. However, recurring neck issues arose in 2019, causing him to miss seven of the final nine games. Despite undergoing neck fusion surgery and utilizing a brace on his shoulder pads to stabilize his neck, Vander Esch played only 10 games in 2020 and 17 in 2021.
