Cowboys and Bucs talking WR trade

The Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are involved in talks that would allow the teams to swap Keyshawn Johnson for Joey Galloway.

When reached at his home in Los Angeles on Monday night, Johnson confirmed to the St. Petersburg Times that Bucs general manager Bruce Allen has granted permission for his agent, Jerome Stanley, to talk to the Cowboys about a possible trade.

When asked by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about the rumor, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones replied, What I will say is [Galloway] is on our team and under contract.

The Times reported that Jones approached Allen about a possible trade last week at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

The trade cannot be made official until that start of free agency on March 3.

Johnson is due a $1 million roster bonus that the Bucs now appear ready to pay to control his rights through to opening day. He has four years remaining on his current eight-year contract worth $56 million.

The Bucs deactivated Johnson in November. Head coach Jon Gruden said Johnson had become disruptive in the locker room. The Bucs were 4-6 at that point.

Johnson and Galloway are both due about $6 million this year and while Johnson appeared to be on the verge of being released this year, Galloways agent has been working with the Cowboys to restructure the deal.

Galloway came to Dallas when Jones gave up two first-round selections to the Seattle Seahawks in 2000, signing a seven-year, $42 million contract. But he tore an anterior cruciate ligament in the opening day game and was lost for the season.

His best season in Dallas came in 2002 when he caught 61 passes for 908 yards with six touchdowns. Last season, Galloway finished fifth on the team with 34 receptions for 672 yards (19.8-yard average) and two touchdowns. He also averaged 8.9 yards on 20 punt returns.