FRISCO, TX—Long-time Dallas Cowboys Left Tackle Tyron Smith hit free agency this offseason after spending the last 13 years with Dallas. After an injury-riddled 2023 season, the Cowboys did not immediately offer the perennial pro-bowler a contract extension.
The Cowboys met with Smith during the 2024 NFL Combine to discuss a potential new deal, but neither side made much progress. After that, Smith hit free agency but has yet to sign with any other team. Per the Dallas Cowboys website, executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones said that bringing Tyron Smith back to the Cowboys even after he hits free agency is still a viable option.
“The door is open," Stephen Jones said on Thursday. "Tyron Smith is going to be a Hall of Fame football player. He's had an amazing career, and we certainly haven't shut the door on a continued career here in Dallas. He's a man's man and one of the greatest left tackles to [ever] play the game. No one feels better about Tyron Smith than this organization. We have nothing but big-time thoughts about Tyron and what he's all about."
All-Pro Tackle Tyron Smith
(Credit: dallascowboys.com)
Smith has been an anchor of the Dallas Cowboys offensive line for more than ten years now, and he and All-Pro guard Zack Martin make a formidable pair when both are healthy. Smith played in 13 games last season but missed several more due to a back injury. Despite the injuries, pff.com graded out Smith at an 83.8 overall. Smith was called for three penalties last season and only allowed one sack.
The Cowboys recently let go of running back Tony Pollard, who signed with the Tennessee Titans on Monday and still have a massive question mark at running back. However, run game aside, Dallas still needs to be able to protect Dak Prescott. Other left tackles are on the open market now, but why bring in a new guy when a healthy Tyron Smith is one of the most dominant players in the league?
The Cowboys aren’t the only franchise to potentially let go of one of their best linemen this offseason. The Green Bay Packers recently released All-Pro tackle David Bahktiari after several ACL injuries, which kept the former Packer out for extended periods of time over the past three seasons. These changes could signal a change of the guard for many teams with long-time offensive linemen, but Tyron Smith still might have some juice left in the tank, even at the tail end of his career. Dallas drafted the former Cowboy 9th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: