With Friday's move, Dallas no longer has any members of the 2018 draft class on its current roster.
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are moving on from two of the most high-profile teams of the past decade, but neither move should come as a shock to fans.
Cowboys front office officials confirmed Friday that Dallas will release wide receiver Michael Gallup and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, which had been previously suggested.
Both moves would save the Cowboys salary cap space in 2024.
Gallup was given permission to seek a trade earlier this offseason, but nothing materialized for the wideout, who caught 66 passes for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns in his second year in the NFL. It was not possible to reproduce such results. His ACL tear late in the 2021 season derailed his success, and Gallup, a 2018 third-round draft pick, has not been able to return to the receiver he was before the injury.
Vander Esch has had an injury-plagued career. He injured his neck against San Francisco in October, ending his 2023 season, but Vander Esch suffered from cervical spinal stenosis, which could have ended his career as well. All signs point to something like that. Vander Esch, who was the Cowboys' first-round pick with the 18th overall pick in the NFL Draft and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2018, is expected to retire this offseason.
By releasing Gallup, Dallas will save $9.5 million in cap space for the 2024 season, as he is expected to be cut after June 1. Gallup's move will cost Dallas $8.7 million in cap space in 2025.
Vander Esch's release had a failed physical designation. That means Vander Esch will receive his full 2024 salary from the Cowboys, but only up to $1.2 million of that will count toward the salary cap.
With this move, Dallas no longer has members from the 2018 draft class on its current roster.
In a week in which many of the NFL's biggest free agents signed contracts and changed teams, the Cowboys have largely — and frustratingly for many fans — remained calm.
But releasing Gallup and Vander Esch could give the Cowboys more freedom. Even if it's not to sign a free agent, it may be to fulfill a promise to extend the contract of a high-priced player who is currently a star player.
