Dallas Cowboys officially in market for two offensive line starters after Tyron Smith signs with Jets
The exodus out of Dallas continued Friday night when left tackle Tyron Smith agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Jets.
Smith’s departure was expected considering the Cowboys didn’t meet his contract demands before the start of free agency.
It is the end of an era in Dallas for Smith, who was a first-round pick in 2011. He made eight trips to the Pro Bowl and was named All-Pro four times.
Injuries and durability have been an issue for Smith. He has missed at least three games a season since 2015 and has missed 37 games in the past four seasons.
Smith had a bounce-back campaign in 2023 when he made 14 starts, his most since 2019.
But Smith still missed four games and was managed by the Cowboys, who allowed him to skip practice during the week to keep him healthy.
Smith played well enough to be named second-team All-Pro in 2023.
He turns 34 in December and there was a question whether the Cowboys could count on the same production in 2024 and how much that was worth.
Smith figured he could get more money on the market. He signed an incentive-laden contract with the Jets that will pay him $6.5 million in base salary for 2024. He can make up to $20 million in bonuses.
It officially puts the Cowboys on the market for two starters on the offensive line, as center Tyler Biadasz signed with the Washington Commanders earlier in the week.
It also makes offensive line the biggest need for the Cowboys heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
Left guard Tyler Smith, who was picked in the first round in 2022 to be the heir apparent at left tackle, is an option to replace Tyron Smith. But he has played left guard the past two seasons and made Pro Bowl in 2023.
He is capable of being the answer at left tackle but the team thinks he can be an elite guard for years to come.
Smith is the latest departure for the Cowboys since the start of free agency.
In addition to Biadasz, the Cowboys have also lost running back Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans, defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler to the Commanders and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore to the Miami Dolphins.
The Cowboys also released linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and receiver Michael Gallup.
This story was originally published March 16, 2024 at 7:00 AM.
