The Cowboys have a decision to make at left tackle this offseason.
The offseason has begun for the Dallas Cowboys, and it's time to start looking forward to the 2024 season. One of the big items in roster construction will be one of the first free agents. The Cowboys have a list of free agents, and we'll take a look at each of them in this series.
Right at the top of that list is left tackle Tyron Smith. He has spent his entire career in Dallas and could be in the Hall of Fame. But the question is, will the countdown to this offseason begin with his retirement, or will the Cowboys reach a deal and bring him back for another year?
This decision is likely to be largely in Smith's hands. After playing 13 years in Dallas, it's unlikely he'll leave for another franchise. Money may not be that big of an issue, considering Smith had little interest in maximizing his income in Dallas. He has been on team-friendly contracts throughout his career.
Of course, the biggest issue for Smith is injuries. When he's healthy, he's still in the elite category, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2023. And the practice management schedule the Cowboys put him through most of last season paid off, resulting in one of his best seasons. meanwhile.
This is Mike McCarthy on Smith.
Asked about his conversation with Smith, McCarthy told reporters: “The biggest thing for Tyrone is we talked about how his season is going and the training plan we have in place for him.” Ta. “This year was obviously his best season that I've had with him since 2020. So he felt really good about it.”
“Just the fact that he's not going to have major postseason surgery in the offseason is a real plus,” McCarthy said. “But we will continue to have discussions.”
The Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith to replace Tyrone, but Tyler has moved on to guard Plastia, making the two a formidable pair. The Cowboys will also negotiate free agency for Tyler Biadasz. They also might have a useful player in TJ Bass who can play guard if needed.
This is PFF's opinion. They rank Smith as the 14th best free agent.
14.T Tyrone Smith, dallas cowboys
When Tyron Smith is healthy, he becomes an impenetrable brick wall as a blindside protector in any matchup. Smith, who played nearly the entirety of the eight-year extension he signed in 2014, brought tremendous surplus value to Dallas, even though he likely will never be seen again and was missed here and there.
After agreeing to a one-year contract amendment worth $6 million in 2023, Smith again outperformed that contract. Maybe he's more focused on leaving his Cowboy career behind and chasing the Lombardi Trophy, like Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams, but if that's what he wants to pursue, there's enough It is natural that they receive a good salary.
People at ESPN commented on the matter.
Low profile offseason priorities: Consider what to do with Tyron Smith, whose contract is expiring. The left tackle has missed his moments this season, but the Cowboys don't have a left tackle ready to take over. Keeping Smith under contract and drafting another tackle early may be the best option for cost reasons. — Todd Archer
Latest information on whether to re-sign offensive tackle Tyrone Smith: Smith's contract expires at the end of this season. He's 33 years old and has battled injuries for several years, but the Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith in the first round of the 2022 draft, thinking he would eventually replace him. We may have just seen the final weeks of a remarkable 13-year Cowboys career. — Graziano
In an ideal world, Smith would return for another season on another team-friendly one-year deal as the Cowboys prepare for another run in the conference championship game/Super Bowl. It's clear that Smith can still play at a very high level.
Smith's return would allow the Cowboys to keep Tyler under guard for another year while they draft a potential left tackle of the future.
What do you call BTB? Will Smith return or retire?
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