The conversation of NFL longevity starts and ends with Tom Brady, his two-decade reign with the New England Patriots an undisputed testament to that. Likewise, Tyron Smith, while not as tenured, has been a pivotal figure for the Dallas Cowboys since being drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Following the upheavals of the previous season, as the team seeks a fresh start, reports indicate that the seasoned offensive tackle is on the verge of contemplating his options in free agency.
Tyron Smith seeks to enter NFL free agency
Veteran left tackle Tyron Smith’s tenure with the Dallas Cowboys is coming to an end after 13 seasons. The news dropped on Saturday morning, courtesy of NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, who reported that Smith will be hitting the free agent market. Rapoport also added that a reunion between Smith and the Cowboys appears highly unlikely.
The eight-time Pro-Bowler officially becomes a free agent when the new league year kicks off on March 13. The speculation has already begun to surround the potential offers he might attract.
According to Spotrac, he may get a one-year deal for $7,481,509, which is estimated. If he ultimately can secure this, it will position him as the 18th highest-paid left tackle in the NFL for 2024. However, given Smith’s proven skills and experience, his market value could rise, drawing interest from multiple teams.
The longest-tenured player on the Cowboys’ roster concluded the 2023 season, as one of the best players for the team. Over his 13 seasons in Dallas, Smith has consistently stood out as one of the premier tackles in the game, including seven consecutive nods from 2013 to 2019.
His dominance was further cemented by a career-high 83.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking him fourth among all tackles in the league. These consistent contributions solidified his well-deserved spot on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
Tyron Smith’s Cowboys future hangs in balance
Tyron Smith has previously expressed his desire to continue playing in the upcoming 2024 season. Nevertheless, recent developments in reports suggest that his Cowboys career hangs in the balance.
After having started in all 161 career games played for the Cowboys, his durability has been a concern in recent years. In 2022, he was limited to just four games due to a torn hamstring, and previous neck issues in 2020 also sidelined him for a significant portion of the season. Amid these setbacks, he got a spot on the AP All-Pro Team in 2023.
Throughout his tenure with the Cowboys, Smith has shown his commitment to the team, restructuring his contract on six different occasions to accommodate the organization’s needs. Meanwhile, with potential extensions for key players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb on the horizon, the Dallas team may face challenges in retaining the vet player.
With the Cowboys now in the market for a new blindside protector for Prescott, the 33-year-old finds himself at a crossroads in his career.
Possibly, he will soon embark on a new chapter with a different team, marking a significant transition after over a decade of dedicated service to the Cowboys.
