Cowboys Making A Big Mistake By Letting Star Veteran Go
NFL free agency is right around the corner with the legal tampering period beginning on March 11 at 12 p.m. ET. That is when unrestricted free agents can start talking to other teams and there is one player who Cowboy fans didn't think would hit the open market.
According to NFL Networks Ian Rapoport, Pro-Bowl LT Tyron Smith is unlikely to return to Dallas in 2024.
Cowboys Making A Big Mistake By Letting Tyron Smith Go
End of an era: #Cowboys All-Pro and Pro Bowl LT Tyron Smith will be a free agent and is unlikely to return to Dallas, sources say. The blindside protector since 2011, Smith will be highly coveted. pic.twitter.com/eiTolVeFw6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2024
This certainly comes as a shocker because it seemed like these two sides were close to a new deal. With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons all due for contract extensions, it looks Dallas like Dallas can't afford Smith.
Even at 33 years old, Smith is an anchor on the offensive line and does a phenomenal job protecting the quarterback's blind side.
Since being selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Smith has been a model of consistency. Although he hasn't played a full season since 2015, Smith thrives when he suits up.
In 13 games during the 2023 season, the two-time First Team All-Pro selection allowed 18 total pressures on 536 pass-blocking snaps. His pressure rank was third-best in the league at 3.4%.
I know he will be turning 34 years old during the 2024 season and he's dealt with injuries over the past few years but his production is elite. It's hard to draft and develop an elite offensive lineman and that's exactly what Dallas did with Smith.
When a lynchpin departs from an organization, that has ripple effects on the team. Tyler Smith will likely take over for the USC product but those are big shoes to fill.
Smith's presence on the field will be missed in 2024.
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