Tyron Smith‘s 13-year stint in Dallas has likely come to an end. The impending free agent left tackle is unlikely to return to the Cowboys, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
[RELATED: Cowboys, LT Tyron Smith Discuss Possible Return]
This news comes on the heels of yesterday’s report that Smith and the Cowboys discussed a potential return while at the combine. Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News notes that the Cowboys still have interest in re-signing the lineman, but it’s clear the two sides are “drastically apart in the financial framework” of a deal.
The 2011 first-round pick has spent his entire career with the Cowboys, earning five All-Pro nods and eight Pro Bowl appearances. Smith inked an eight-year, $109MM contract back in 2014 that once reset the position’s market. Thanks to multiple restructurings, the veteran earned only $7.3MM this past season, and the organization opted to not hand him an extension.
Injuries continue to plague Smith’s career; the lineman has missed at least three games each season since 2015. The left tackle missed 27 combined games in 2020 and 2022, and he got into 24 of 34 possible games during his two most-recent “healthy” seasons (2021, 2023).
As we passed along yesterday, Smith and the Cowboys agreed to a new practice regimen that was intended to keep the 33-year-old healthy. The organization has also been willing to tolerate his absences as long as he was available for the team’s biggest games. Smith hasn’t missed any of the team’s four playoff games over the past three seasons.
While injuries are a clear issue at this stage of Smith’s career, the offensive lineman has continued to perform when on the field. Pro Football Focus graded him as the fourth-best offensive tackle this past season, including a position-leading pass-block score. Other than his lost 2020 and 2022 campaigns, Smith has graded as at least a top-20 OT in each of his NFL seasons, and it doesn’t look like he’s showing any signs of slowing down.
Still, considering his age and injury risks, Smith can’t expect to break the bank on his next deal. Pro Football Focus pointed to Terron Armstead‘s five-year, $75MM contract with the Dolphins in 2022 as a comparison. While the former Saints OT had his fair share of injuries at the time of the signing, he was also significantly younger than Smith is now. The site ultimately settled on a one-year, $10MM contract for Smith, which would keep him around the top-20 highest-paid players at his position. If a bidding war develops, the veteran could climb the AAV list, although he may be hard pressed to get a long-term deal.
As for the Cowboys, the team seems to have an in-house replacement for Smith. The team used a first-round pick on Tyler Smith in the 2022 draft, and the lineman has only missed three games through his first two seasons in the NFL. Jon Machota of The Athletic notes that offensive tackle is a likely target of the organization with their No. 24 pick.
I could see him going to the Chiefs. They get a better short-term Smith at left tackle than last year, he gets his best shot at a ring.
Donovan Smith tends to stay healthy. The best ability is availability and Tyron has been getting hurt for like the last 6 seasons.
If the best ability were availability, the Jets wouldn’t have cut Laken Tomlinson. Tyron Smith played more games and snaps last year than Donovan Smith, anyway, and he’s a much better player. If you’re going to have one of them, along with a younger swing/developmental tackle, you’d rather have the guy who’s better when he’s playing and can better model how to do the job. In a perfect world, they would have an option who’s younger and healthier and also already good, but we’re working with what’s realistic here.
Would be a smart move for him didn’t think they had enough cap.
It wouldn’t be easy, and might depend on a situation where they trade Sneed. Might also require Smith to be more interested in chasing a ring than squeezing every dollar out of free agency, but I don’t think anyone is going nuts on a contract for him. Seems like some restructures are inevitable for KC. They don’t currently have a veteran left tackle on the team, and I doubt they’re going into the year starting Wanya Morris or a late first round rookie, so presumably they’ll do something in free agency.
Smith has similar Pro Bowl credentials to what Jason Peters had so he will likely bounce around the league for a few years yet even if his ability to play a full season is improbable.
Jets have to be a major suitor for him and Bakhtiari
sure put the two together and you’ll have all your games covered could be costly though
Bakh would give Jets discount because Aaron…He also hasn’t really played in 3 years. He has no real leverage for big pay.
Can you blame him? He wants to win a championship.
Good Luck. Let’s hope he gets his much deserved championship much like D Ware after leaving Dallas.
Jerry Jones said something about going all in this year, I don’t think losing a legend like him helps that cause. It might help get under the cap, and maybe if he stays unsigned, he’ll come back for less if they do enough to make a serious Super Bowl run.