The Dallas Cowboys showed, at least for five games, just how explosive they could be on offense in 2020. With Dak Prescott under center, they averaged 32.6 points per game. Once he was taken off the field with an ankle injury the team only put up 21.1 points per contest for the rest of the season.
As the 2021 season approaches, not only is Prescott healthy but so are his top-three offensive linemen (Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, La'el Collins) as well as Blake Jarwin, who will look to have his breakout year at tight end. Sprinkle in Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard at running back, and a three-headed monster at wide receiver (Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb), the Cowboys will have one of the league's best offenses in 2021.
One of the Cowboy's most important offensive pieces, Gallup, joined NFL Network's Good Morning Football on Monday and said he sees this year's offense in Dallas performing at the highest level.
“I think the sky's the limit for us,” Gallup said. “We said that last year. Obviously, we had some injuries on the team and stuff like that. We're already running out the gate right now, it's just OTAs. I think we can explode. We can do what we need to do out here on the field and just kill it. I don't see anybody stopping us.”
Gallup doubled his production from his rookie season when he racked up 1,107 yards in 2019. Last season, he was on pace for his second consecutive 1,000-yard campaign before Prescott was lost for the year in Week 5. Despite playing with four different quarterbacks, Gallup finished with the second-most receptions (59), yards (843), and touchdowns (5) of his career in 2020.
The 2021 season is the most critical of Gallup's career. He's playing for a new contract, and if he plays to the level he's capable of, he could price himself out of Dallas. His future may be on his mind but Gallup is focused on letting his play dictate what's happens going forward.
“You're obviously going to think about it, but you can't really do anything about it except go out on the field and do what you're supposed to do,” Gallup said. “You're not going to get that contract if you don't do what you're supposed to on the field first. I think, one thing to think about, you can't talk anything into the future. You've just got to do what you're supposed to do right now. For me, it's just going out there helping this club win ball games, have fun doing it. Obviously, I'd love to stay here, love to be in Dallas, love the community, love the city, love the fans, so it's up in the air, but I want to be right here. So we'll see.”
The key to Gallup having a successful year will be predicated on Prescott getting him the ball as much as possible. Gallup mentioned how well the fifth-year quarterback has looked since his return from his gruesome ankle injury.
“Dak looks like the same old Dak, ready to get out there, ready to be a leader,” Gallup said. “He just has that little thing to him. Every time you see him, you just want to make sure you're doing everything right for him. He's a great dude on and off the field, coming out here after his injury, after his contract. He's the same old dude. Ain't nothing changed about him except he just wants to play now. Props to him. Everything he's done, he's earned. Just an amazing player.”
The Cowboy's offense will have all of its moving parts ready to roll for the 2021 season and Gallup is looking forward to having a monster year.
“Honestly, I want to do all I can to get in the end zone, catch every pass that No. 4 throws to me, and help this club win ballgames,” Gallup said. “I just want to go out there and have a good time and play ball. And I know we can do it this year.”
The motivation for Gallup is there as he enters year four. With a healthy Prescott and the offensive line intact 2021 could be the best of Gallup's career, and if that happens, the Cowboy's offense might end up being unstoppable as he suggests it will be.
