CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 17: A detailed photo of a Carolina Panthers helmet during their game against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
The Carolina Panthers are reportedly set to meet with a former Dallas Cowboys star and 1,000-yard wide receiver next week.
The Panthers have already made several big splashes on offense in hopes of helping Bryce Young bounce back from a tough rookie year. They acquired former Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver Diontae Johnson via trade and signed offensive linemen Robert Hunt (five years, $100 million) and Damien Lewis (four years, $53 million).
33-year-old Adam Thielen was Carolina’s lone productive wide receiver for Young, recording 103 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns. D.J. Chark, currently a free agent, was second among Panther players with 525 receiving yards.
Carolina released veteran tight end Hayden Hurst one year after giving him a three-year deal worth $21.75 million. With Hurst and Chark both gone, it’s imperative for Carolina to add more depth in the pas-catching department.
Gallup Struggled Mightily In Final Years With Cowboys
Gallup had a career year for the Cowboys in 2019, racking up 66 receptions for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns. But injuries and the emergence of superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb (the Cowboys’ 2020 first-round pick) prevented Gallup from ever getting close to that form again.
The 2018 third-round pick was limited to nine games in 2021 and missed three contests in the 2022 campaign. In each of his final three years with Dallas, Gallup finished with under 500 yards and less than 40 receptions, and he had just eight total touchdowns over that period.
A healthy Gallup could very well make a difference elsewhere if he can stay healthy. Perhaps Gallup could emerge as a quality No. 2 or 3 receiving option on a Carolina team that lacks the depth that Dallas has on offense.