The Dallas Cowboys have made significant roster changes by releasing wide receiver Michael Gallup and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. Gallup's release comes with a post-June 1 designation, which allows the Cowboys to carry his full $13.85 million cap hit into June, before taking on dead hits of $4.35 million in 2024 and $8.7 million in 2025, ultimately saving $9.5 million in cap space for 2024. Vander Esch's release, attributed to a failed physical designation due to a neck injury that sidelined him for the final 12 games last year, ends his tenure with the team that began as their first-round draft pick in 2018. The Cowboys are taking on $2.25M of dead cap with Vander Esch's release, freeing up $2.14M of space while absorbing $1M in cash. His departure casts doubt on his future in the NFL. The Cowboys have prepared for months to be without Vander Esch in 2024, signing former All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks as his projected replacement.
Front office sources with the Cowboys confirmed on Friday that Dallas is releasing wide receiver Michael Gallup and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch in a pair of moves that have been hinted at for some time. https://t.co/Rwwa6miNX7
Cowboys release LB Leighton Vander Esch, WR Michael Gallup https://t.co/k7eqJFerAK https://t.co/WVxuMgZqTt
The #Cowboys have released LB Leighton Vander Esch (failed physical), taking on $2.25M of dead cap ($1M cash), freeing up $2.14M of space. https://t.co/0s6Ua3WBEh
The Cowboys are releasing WR Michael Gallup and LB Leighton Vander Esch, per source. Their departures were expected
Cowboys release Michael Gallup, Leighton Vander Esch. https://t.co/NCPA0fonww
Source: #Cowboys Cut Leighton Vander Esch As Replacement Eric Kendricks Signs https://t.co/xe4zS7aULJ via @fishsports
The Cowboys have officially said goodbye to their 2018 first-round pick, Leighton Vander Esch. https://t.co/dQBxzyKL36 https://t.co/XEgnINTodI
Here is where the Dallas Cowboys stand in free agency after releasing both Michael Gallup and Leighton Vander Esch. Our full tracker: https://t.co/tOcf1UtTEn https://t.co/6zR7dDiDVh
Cowboys cut Michael Gallup for $9.5M in cap space https://t.co/IGZLT4wlLm
🚨 COWBOYS ROSTER MOVE 🚨 Dallas is releasing linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. According to ESPN it is with a failed physical designation. Vander Esch was the Cowboys' first-round draft pick in 2018, a draft that was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. https://t.co/pFfVW9XHdm
🚨 COWBOYS ROSTER MOVE 🚨 Dallas is releasing wide receiver Michael Gallup. According to ESPN, Gallup is being released with a post-June 1st designation. https://t.co/nMy2EUxMdd
The Cowboys have released WR Michael Gallup, per multiple reports. https://t.co/m2ii9wMPyc
The Cowboys are saying goodbye to wide receiver Michael Gallup. https://t.co/7NxVHR66qT https://t.co/XFUSUZX1v0
The #Cowboys also released LB Leighton Vander Esch. https://t.co/iVxX5xkzct https://t.co/awJTD6DNzQ
Cowboys also released LB Leighton Vander Esch (neck) with a failed physical designation. Given his medical situation, the team has prepared for months to be without Vander Esch in 2024. Newly signed Eric Kendricks projects as starting Mike linebacker.
Source: #Cowboys Cut Michael Gallup To Create $9.5M in Cap Room https://t.co/xESDJ4LrvP via @fishsports https://t.co/E9MfVk7CJe
Mike Drop: Having failed to find a trade partner, the #Cowboys have opted to instead released former third-round pick Michael Gallup — a move that saves them nearly $10 million toward their thirsty 2024 salary cap. Full story below. ⬇️ ✍🏾 https://t.co/iXROJwo4IA https://t.co/bRb7rEtRmv
The Cowboys have also released LB Leighton Vander Esch, per @jonmachota https://t.co/8UYEpHvLxB
Michael Gallup will be released as a Post June 1st designation. The #Cowboys will carry his full $13.85M cap hit into June, then take on dead hits of: 2024: $4.35M ($9.5M saved) 2025: $8.7M
Wolf, Packed: Leighton Vander Esch has been officially released by the #Cowboys with a failed physical designation, ending his once promising career in Dallas following the latest neck injury. Full story below. ⬇️ ✍🏾 https://t.co/0uDxBBKTZw https://t.co/D55oPQBDbM
The Dallas Cowboys are releasing WR Michael Gallup and LB Leighton Vander Esch. Gallup was due to count for $13.85M against the salary cap this season. And Vander Esch's future in the NFL is in doubt due to a neck injury.
The Cowboys have released WR Michael Gallup, per @Toddarcher. The move saves Dallas $9.5 million in cap space this year. https://t.co/uy1oTkjm2g
The Dallas Cowboys are releasing WR Michael Gallup and LB Leighton Vander Esch
Cowboys are also cutting Leighton Vander Esch with a failed physical, per @toddarcher https://t.co/XYfiWyjUSu
The Cowboys have released WR Michael Gallup, per @GehlkenNFL https://t.co/UV5G1oNas0
More #Cowboys news: They’ve also released LB Leighton Vander Esch, who many suspect is retiring. https://t.co/orP36KC3LP https://t.co/IBqPh1g6Ni
Cowboys have released WR Michael Gallup, a person close to situation said. Move to eventually save $9.5M in 2024 cap space as a post-June 1 cut. https://t.co/2FOP1uT52E
The Cowboys have released Michael Gallup and Leighton Vander Esch.
Breaking: #Cowboys released WR Michael Gallup, per @GehlkenNFL. https://t.co/qoPUXJsMaK
WR Michael Gallup and LB Leighton Vander Esch are both being cut by the Dallas Cowboys, per @GehlkenNFL https://t.co/YuQHnrXRF2
#Cowboys have released WR Michael Gallup, per @toddarcher https://t.co/P47igPui0b
🚨BREAKING🚨 Michael Gallup has been released by the #Cowboys— no trade partner found by the veteran WR— a post-June 1 designation for Dallas. It’s a move that adds $9.5 million in savings to the 2024 salary cap. The former 1,000-yard receiver hits the open market.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨 The #Cowboys have officially released Leighton Vander Esch with a failed physical designation — the former first-round pick and the team parting ways. Related move: The team officially signed former All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks today as well.
Dallas Cowboys make deep cut, release WR Michael Gallup https://t.co/TkudwfIKCG
BREAKING: Dallas Cowboys are releasing WR Michael Gallup, per @GehlkenNFL. https://t.co/D46nnmaC79
The Cowboys have also released wide receiver Michael Gallup with a post-June 1 designation, per sources. Saves the Cowboys $9.5 million in room this year, but will count $8.7 million in 2025.
BREAKING: The #Cowboys are releasing WR Michael Gallup and LB Leighton Vander Esch, per @toddarcher and @GehlkenNFL https://t.co/rzNGO8FD8P
Cowboys are releasing WR Michael Gallup, per @GehlkenNFL https://t.co/exI3MCvAar
LB Leighton Vander Esch to be released by the Cowboys, per @toddarcher.
Michael Gallup to be released by the Cowboys, per @GehlkenNFL.
The Cowboys have informed LB Leighton Vander Esch he will be released, per a source, with a failed physical designation. He missed final 12 games last year with a neck injury.
Cowboys have released WR Michael Gallup, a person close to situation said.
The Cowboys have made a move https://t.co/OORKJBxHm5
The #Cowboys are on the board. https://t.co/xlfgzwQG89
Decision on Michael Gallup's future should come before 4 p.m. ET Saturday, $4m of his $8.5m salary is guaranteed if he is on the roster after that. He has permission to seek trade, pay cut a possibility. As a June 1 release, Cowboys save $9.5m in cap space, but costs $8.7m in '25
Cowboys fans right now https://t.co/enuiKcM85L
Don’t expect a decision on Michael Gallup today, a person w/ knowledge of the WR’s status said. Signs point to Cowboys designating Gallup a June 1 cut to create more cap space in 2024. But he & agent have been given permission to seek a trade. That will play out a bit longer.
If the Cowboys are going to release Gallup as many expect the least they could do is get it over with so he can have a chance at finding a new home before rosters fill up too much. https://t.co/6ukDtSu7jG
With start of 2024 league year, 15 Cowboys players have become unrestricted free agents. Four have already reached contracts elsewhere. If Dallas is to release WR Michael Gallup before $4M of his $8.5M salary becomes fully guaranteed Sunday, it can now do so as a post-June 1 cut. https://t.co/9CUj5YEOnG
The Dallas Cowboys have yet to make any major moves as the NFL free agency period gets underway. https://t.co/jhC38BsPUx
Cowboys in free agency https://t.co/dAelHuRkeK
Cowboys fans right now. https://t.co/Xr21sAdbAI
the cowboys are so unserious😂💀 https://t.co/mfI7RueoXj
Cowboys https://t.co/024EOzMy2F