All-Pro Left Tackle Tyron Smith "Unlikely" to Re-Sign With Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are close to parting with a franchise icon. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith will enter unrestricted free agency and is unlikely to re-sign with the only team he's ever played for.

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

Smith has a long history with the Cowboys. He has appeared in 161 games for the franchise and played for six top-five scoring offenses. He's a future Hall of Famer and a surefire Ring of Honor candidate, but he's set to turn 34 years old next season, and he hasn't played a full season since way back in 2015. Understandably, the Cowboys are hesitant to sign him to another big-money contract.

Tackles of Smith's calibre are often capable and effective late into their thirties; four-time Pro Bowler Andrew Whitworth won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 at 40 years old, and nine-time Pro Bowler Jason Peters was still earning starts last year with the Seattle Seahawks at 41 years old. The larger issue with Smith is his history of injuries; he's missed 37 games since 2020 alone.

Still, Smith remains a valuable player at a premier position when healthy. He earned an 83.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus over his 13 starts last year, and the Cowboys led the league in scoring with 29.9 points per game. He'll be a high-risk, high-reward signing for a team desperate for help on the blindside. He'll probably land a similar deal to the two-year, $20 million contract Duane Brown signed with the New York Jets in 2022.