Could Cowboys Cut Michael Gallup, Promote Jalen Tolbert?

With the Cowboys' current salary cap situation and Gallup's $13.8 million cap hit next year, a move could be made. The franchise could make him a post-June 1 cut, thus spreading out the impact and gaining $9.5 million of room. (See below).

With Tolbert nearly having the same production as Gallup while being on significantly less money ($1.1 million base salary in 2024 and $1.4 million cap hit), the decision might be easier than originally thought.

Now, Gallup has been a model teammate and locker-room presence. He could have been forgiven for getting upset at his lack of receptions this season as 15 times this year he had three or fewer in a game. But he stayed true to the gameplan with his willingness to help block in the run game and was a good person to have around The Star.

But is that worth $13 million?

Tolbert had 150 fewer yards than Gallup, had 12 fewer receptions, but their yards per reception were nearly identical (7.4 for Tolbert, 7.3 for Gallup). Tolbert also had a better catch rate (55.6 percent to Gallup's 50.9) and only averaged nine fewer yards per game (24.6 to 15.8). But Gallup started 13 games compared to Tolbert's six and had 612 offensive snaps this year compared to Tolbert's 477.

So the two aren't that far apart in terms of production, but looking at the respective salaries, it is a huge gulf. 

And that could be the deciding factor.

Gallup has been a good soldier for the Cowboys, but the salary cap squeeze, coupled with Tolbert's emergence on offense along with his lower cap hit could indicate that Gallup might not be a Cowboy in 2024.