The Dallas Cowboys have been extremely quiet in free agency as they head into a pressure-filled 2024 campaign. The only addition that have made was signing LB Eric Kendricks but the subtractions from the roster have been prevalent.
The biggest one is losing All-Pro Tyron Smith in free agency. Smith and the New York Jets agreed to terms on a one-year deal that is worth up to $20 million dollars.
No matter how you slice it up, this is a massive loss for the Cowboys. The owners meetings is happening down in Orlando, Florida this week and Jerry Jones spoke with the media.
Jones gave some insight into what happened in the negotiations with Smith. Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Jones said the Cowboys couldn't afford Smith and let him have a chance to hit the incentives he got with the Jets. They plan on having Tyler Smith as the main option at left tackle going into the draft.
Per Jerry Jones, the Cowboys couldn’t afford to keep Tyron Smith and chance him hitting the incentives in the Jets deal. Tyler Smith is the working option at left tackle going into the draft
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 24, 2024
Cowboys News: Dallas Didn't Want to Pony Up the Money to Keep Tyron Smith
Tyron's deal with the Jets only has $6.5 million guaranteed and has the chance to earn another $13.5 million in incentives. Smith hasn't played in a full season since 2015 so there is a high likelihood that he misses time.
Tyron Smith’s contract with the #Jets: 1-year deal worth $6.5M (all guaranteed).
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 19, 2024
Incentives:
- Pro Bowl: $500K
- $250K for each Jets' playoff win. ($1M max)
Rolling incentives:
- 38% snaps: $750K
- 44% snaps: another $1M
- 50% snaps: another $1M
- 56% snaps: another… pic.twitter.com/J0RK1SzOaH
Despite playing in 13 games last season, Smith played in 847 offensive snaps, logging an 83.8 overall PFF grade and 88.6 passing blocking grade. Additionally, he allowed just one sack and recorded three penalties, en route to a Second-Team All-Pro nod.
That production is tough to replace but the Cowboys are looking at Tyler to fill in that void. In 2023, the Tulsa product produced a 72.9 PFF grade at guard.
Despite the lack of moves in free agency, Dallas has one of the best rosters in the NFL. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Cowboys have the fifth-highest odds (+1300) to win the Super Bowl. If you like these odds, head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and take advantage of your sign-up bonus.
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