The Dallas Cowboys have had one of the best offensive lines in the last decade, but everything will change starting in the 2024 NFL season due to the departure of one of the most important linemen during that period.
According to a report by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys will not extend Tyron Smith’s contract, so he will become a free agent and the offensive tackle will not return to Dallas after spending 13 seasons in Arlington.
The University of Southern California (USC) graduate came to the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2011 Draft and his impact was immediate as a right tackle. A year later he transitioned to the blindside of Tony Romo and later Dak Prescott.
In 2014, Smith signed an eight-year, $97.6 million contract extension with the Cowboys. The contract ran through the 2016 season, when he finished his rookie deal, and ended at the end of 2023, so he is now a free agent. Despite his departure, Smith will leave a $6 million hit on Dallas’ salary cap.
Now, Smith will be one of the most coveted free agents in the NFL because the left tackle position is one of the most valuable in the league. The value of contracts for a LT like Smith has escalated to such an extent that the highest paid in 2024 will be David Bakthiari of the Green Bay Packers with $20.2 million in base salary.
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Two years ago, the Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith out of the University of Tulsa in the first round of the draft to eventually become the starting left tackle, and now he will have his chance to protect Dak Prescott’s back.
The 22-year-old lineman has played 31 games in two seasons and has started in all of them. In 2023 he served as left guard, next to Tyron, and his performance was such that he was part of the second team All-Pro and received his first invitation to the Pro Bowl.
2024-03-02 18:34:33
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