The Washington Commanders continue their quest to surprise in the 2025 NFL season, just as they did last year with their impressive playoff run led by quarterback Jayden Daniels. In recent moments, head coach Dan Quinn has secured a former Dallas Cowboys player.

In Washington, they know that refining the offensive system is essential to maximize Daniels’ impact. Along those lines, the Commanders have already taken steps to strengthen their receiving corps for the upcoming season.

Looking back, Quinn’s team had already acquired Deebo Samuel in a trade and extended Noah Brown’s contract this offseason. Now, a former Cowboys player coming out of retirement joins a receiving corps that also features notable names like Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey.

Who is the Commanders’ new player?

The new key weapon for Daniels on the Commanders is none other than wide receiver Michael Gallup, who had stepped away from the league after six seasons. The Seattle Seahawks showed interest in him, but he ultimately signed with Washington, a franchise he had visited just days earlier.

Michael Gallup, the new player of the Washington Commanders

Gallup’s last team was the Cowboys, where he played in 2023. His decision to retire came after spending the preseason with the Las Vegas Raiders last year, and he has now been removed from the reserve/retired list.

What is Quinn’s relationship with Gallup?

Not only will Gallup and Quinn be part of the same team now, but their connection began before arriving in Washington. The Commanders’ head coach was the defensive coordinator for Dallas when the 29-year-old wide receiver played for the Cowboys, where he recorded 266 receptions for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns in 86 games.