Is it time to move on from Tyron Smith? I think he's one of the greatest players in Cowboys history, but there will always be questions about his health. Does he deserve another chance? – Henry Miller/Atlanta, Georgia
Nick Eatman:I think he's worth re-signing. I don't like to use the word “chance” when it comes to future Hall of Famers having All-Pro seasons. At some point, every team has to make those tough decisions, and this is certainly one of them, considering not only his great play over the years, but also his health issues. I thought the Cowboys did a great job with him last year. It wasn't just how the contract worked that paid him weekly bonuses if he played, but also how he was allowed to rest during the week. He is great in that he doesn't have to practice all the time and can still be effective. However, the Cowboys are in a difficult position due to the salary cap. And there will be some players who are too expensive, and Smith will likely be one of them. It would be a sad day if he didn't come back, but it started to feel like it was going to happen.
cart: It's definitely a difficult decision, so I'm glad I don't have to make it. There's no denying that Tyron Smith is still one of the best left tackles in the game. He has power…if he is healthy. And that's the question he can't get out of his mind. His 13 game appearances last season were the most since 2019, but he hasn't played a full schedule since 2015. Still, his availability may not be as big of an issue as the team lightened his practice load last season to see if he was ready. Sunday. The real problem is usually money. Do the Cowboys want to spend a lot of money on a lineman who, at 33 years old, is the third-oldest tackle in the game? Will they be able to handle it considering they have other contracts and free agent needs to deal with? Spotrac.com estimates Smith's market value at his $7.4 million. If the team can get that for a year or two in a row, it seems worth it for the team to say things like “all in.” However, reports suggest that negotiations between the two sides are far apart at this point, and if he wants a long-term deal for significantly more money, perhaps it's time to take the next step. It may have come. Sure, I hope they can find a way to bring him back, but the truth is, sooner or later, the Cowboys have to be young at the position. As painful as it may be when it comes to future Hall of Famers, it may finally be time to rip that bandaid off.
