Associated Press

TAMPA — Keyshawn Johnson could be headed for the Dallas Cowboys and a reunion with coach Bill Parcells.

The Tampa Bay receiver said Tuesday that his agent has been granted permission by the Bucs to talk to the Cowboys about a possible trade that more than likely would bring receiver Joey Galloway to Tampa Bay.

Johnson, who played three seasons under Parcells with the New York Jets, declined to elaborate. The Bucs had little to say, either.

“We won’t comment on rumor and speculation,” club spokesman Jeff Kamis said.

Johnson, who has four seasons remaining on an eight-year, $56 million contract he signed in 2000, was deactivated for the last six games of 2003 because of differences with Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden.

Bucs general manager Bruce Allen informed Johnson’s agent, Jerome Stanley, at the Pro Bowl that he would seek to trade the three-time Pro Bowl selection rather than release him — a move that would not help Tampa Bay’s tight salary-cap situation.

Johnson, who earned $5.1 million last season, is due a $1 million roster bonus on April 1, meaning any trade involving the wide receiver likely would be completed before then.

Like Johnson, Galloway is a highly paid receiver who cost his team a great deal to obtain four years ago.

Dallas sent two first-round draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Galloway, who has three years left on a seven-year, $42 million contract that he may have to restructure before a deal can be made.

Johnson played three seasons in New York under Parcells, who traded the receiver to the Bucs for a pair of first-rounds picks in the 2000 draft. He has maintained a close relationship with the coach, and Dallas is one of five teams he has said he wouldn’t mind playing for next season.

Galloway has been a disappointment in four seasons with the Cowboys, but would give Tampa Bay the speed receiver the Bucs have lacked for years. He had 34 catches for 672 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Johnson, the first overall pick in the 1996 draft, was deactivated after telling the Bucs he was unhappy with Gruden and did not want to play in Tampa Bay beyond 2003. He finished with 45 receptions for 600 yards and three touchdowns, his least productive year as a pro.