Because of his positive training camp narrative, Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert was rewarded with more playing time in Mike McCarthy’s “Texas Coast Offense.”
Additionally, Tolbert’s rise may have consequences for Michael Gallup, another receiver.
Tolbert’s snap total increased significantly from his rookie season (89 snaps to 477) as he occasionally filled in for Gallup on offense as a result of the six-year veteran’s subpar play. Tolbert made significant progress from his rookie season in his second campaign, finishing with 268 receiving yards and two touchdowns from his 22 receptions.
Gallup, who has never been able to replicate his success from 2019, had just 418 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 34 receptions. Gallup may be let go even if his numbers have been falling since 2019; nonetheless, given his contract position and Tolbert’s rise, Gallup may eventually be phased out.
Gallup has now been an excellent locker-room presence and teammate. Given that he has had three receptions or fewer in a game 15 times this season, he could have been forgiven for being agitated over his lack of receptions. He was an excellent guy to have around The Star, though, and he stuck to the plan by offering to help block during the run game.
Despite having 12 fewer receptions and 150 less yards than Gallup, Tolbert and Gallup had almost similar yards per reception (7.4 for Tolbert and 7.3 for Gallup). In addition, Tolbert averaged nine less yards per game (24.6 versus 15.8) and had a higher catch percentage (55.6 percent versus 50.9) than Gallup. However, Gallup started 13 games this year compared to Tolbert’s six, and he also had 612 offensive snaps to Tolbert’s 477.
