Before the start of training camp last offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders got hit with a surprise when wide receiver Michael Gallup abruptly retired from the NFL. He was only 28 at the time and the team was hoping he'd be a key part of the offense.
After a year away from football, Gallup decided to make a comeback. However, the Raiders already decided to move on and let him test free agency. He ended up signing with the Washington Commanders and will now be facing his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, twice a season.
Gallup never gave an explanation as to why he retired but he finally opened up about the decision and why he wasn't in "the right head space."
Washington Commanders WR Michael Gallup.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
"The way I was let go from being in some place for so long and then jumping to a whole other team and not being able to process it," Gallup said, per ESPN's John Keim. "I never went through that before. It was fast for me and I wasn't there yet."
Gallup was drafted by Dallas in 2018 and remained with the team for six seasons. Players are constantly having to change teams so it's nothing new but it clearly had a big effect on Gallup. Perhaps being in a position where he can play against his former teammates more regularly will make it easier for him.
He also gets to reunite with head coach Dan Quinn, who was the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys while Gallup was there.
