The Cowboys continue to make deals after fumbling the big one in the dying days of the preseason. Dallas has agreed to an extension with starting left guard Tyler Smith that will make him the highest-paid player at his position, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The terms show a four-year, $96MM agreement that includes $81.2MM in guarantees, $16.4MM of which will be in the form of a signing bonus, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. Smith’s $24MM annual average value is the highest for an offensive guard in NFL history. 
As a result of failing to act quickly on past extensions for key contributors like quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and pass rusher Micah Parsons, Cowboys owner/team president/general manager Jerry Jones ended up reacting to huge market changes at all three positions. This left Dallas paying more than it might have needed to on extensions for Prescott and Lamb and trading away Parsons to a team with whom he was willing to negotiate.
With any potential Parsons deal taken off their plate, the Cowboys immediately shifted their attention to where else they might dedicate their money. Actually, they knew where to look, as they had keyed in on Smith, cornerback DaRon Bland, tight end Jake Ferguson, and kicker Brandon Aubrey as players they wanted new deals for. Ferguson was the first to get his deal in July. Bland was next to sign his deal, and fullback Hunter Luepke got a surprise extension, as well, to open September in the days after Parsons’ departure.
This time, it’s Smith’s turn. After letting it be known that they had their eyes on an extension for the fourth-year guard, Dallas picked up his fifth-year option. It didn’t seem likely that the Cowboys would allow Smith to play out Year 5 on the option. Because all offensive line positions are grouped together when calculating the fifth-year option salaries, guards and centers rarely see their options picked up as prices are driven up by offensive tackles.
What picking up his option did, though, was show Smith they were serious about keeping (and paying) him and add an extra year of time for a deal to get done. It also allowed Smith to go into the regular season — after failing to get a new deal secured before the season opener — feeling secure that a deal was on its way. The 24-year-old switched up his representation shortly after his option was picked up in anticipation of the deal getting done.
The two sides clearly didn’t let the start of the regular season keep them from working out a contract, and there was plenty of anticipation for it to be a record-setting one. Because they had picked up is fifth-year option, Smith became the first Cowboy since former running back Ezekiel Elliott to sign an extension with multiple years left on his contract, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
In only three full years of play, Smith already has three accolades to his name as a two-time Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro, all earned during the two seasons in which he started at guard. In his rookie season, his sole season not at guard, Smith stepped in for an injured Tyron Smith to start every game of the season but one at left tackle.
In that rookie campaign, during which he unexpectedly started as Prescott’s blindside blocker, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Smith as the league’s 25th-best tackle out of 81 players graded at the position. When he bumped back in to guard in his sophomore campaign, PFF slotted him in at 11th of 79. He followed that up last year with a ranking of 15th out of 77 guards. Despite the varying relative position rankings, Smith’s overall grades have been consistently strong and have improved year after year.
Not only is Smith among the cream of the crop at his normal position, but the 24-year-old has also proven he can play at a high level as a tackle if need be. Smith is young and talented and likely has room to grow yet. The deal secures Smith as the key cog of the offensive line through the 2030 NFL season as Dallas continues use the money not spent on Parsons to hold on to every other player that it intended to pay.
They didn’t fumble crap …they can’t sign every damn player to max contracts ….what part of salary cap people can’t understand…
They did fumble Dak’s contract – MASSIVELY – and overpayed considerably. Cee Dee’s contract was not a fumble. He got exactly what he’d earned and it didn’t set the market either. The only thing they screwed up was dicking around the entire preseason before it got done, so it took a bit before Cee Dee was in shape for games. Because Dak got injured, that delay really didn’t affect the final record that much.. Finally, I don’t really mind Micah being gone. An elite pass rusher – yes – but many, many teams get to and/or win the SB without a truly “elite” pass rusher.
Go ahead and see how easy it is to replace Parsons. Difference makers win. WRs and OGs do not qualify as difference makers despite your fantasy football approach.
Parsons makes teams double team him. It’s a lot easier to play defense against 9 offensive guys than
11
True. The cap forces you to prioritize your best players.
Was Parsons not the best defensive player in Dallas?
“They can’t sign every damn player.” OK, but other teams manage to sign a high level quarterback, a high level pass rusher, and a high level pass catcher. If Jerry hadn’t dragged out all three negotiations, all three contracts would have come in lower.
They didn’t sign the player, get over it already. Smith’s numbers warranted this contract. By season’s end it will be eclipsed by another contract.
They didn’t fumble the Parsons deal…. They decided to invest money in guys that act like adults and not immature douche bags.
😂😂😂😂 Butt hurt Cowboys fans are my favorite Cowboys fans.
Jerry says he reached an agreement with Parsons. Jerry did decide to invest in him.
Sad to see all these cowboy fans drinking Jerry’s juice.