The Dallas Cowboys are going to have their work cut out for them in 2025 as they prepare to rebound from a disastrous 2024 campaign.  Getting a healthy Dak Prescott back into the starting lineup coupled with the addition of George Pickens certainly has fans excited for the potential of this team.

However, fans are now seeing a former long-time starter make a comeback into the league.

Breaking: Cowboys’ Former 69-Game Starter Unretires, Joins AFC Rival

Jul 26, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; General view of player helmets on the field during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, CA. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; General view of player helmets on the field during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, CA. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Despite being out of the NFL for the 2024 season, Jaylon Smith has found a new home with another old team:

The veteran linebacker was hosted by the Las Vegas Raiders at the team’s rookie minicamp this weekend and is signing with the team, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“After a weekend tryout, the Raiders are signing former Cowboys and Giants LB Jaylon Smith, per source,” Schefter reports. “Smith now returns to the Raiders, where he played in 2023, his last NFL season.”

Smith last played in 2023, making one appearance for the Raiders in a Week 9 fixture against the New York Giants before being waived.

The 29-year-old spent five seasons with the Cowboys and made the Pro Bowl in 2019 after a campaign in which he recorded 142 tackles, nine pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.

He became a bit of a journeyman after Dallas released him on the back of four games in 2021, joining the Green Bay Packers. The Giants signed him after the Packers cut him two games later.

Oct 3, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) against the Carolina Panthers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Oct 3, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) against the Carolina Panthers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Here is a look at Smith’s career stats:

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck Int Yds Avg TD PD FF FR TD
2017 DAL 16 6 81 50 31 1.0 0 0 0.0 0 4 2 0 0
2018 DAL 16 16 121 82 39 4.0 0 0 0.0 0 2 2 2 1
2019 DAL 16 16 142 83 59 2.5 1 0 0.0 0 9 2 1 0
2020 DAL 16 16 154 89 65 1.5 1 43 43.0 0 5 0 2 0
2021 DAL 4 2 18 13 5 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
GB 2 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
NYG 4 2 19 12 7 1.0 0 0 0.0 0 1 0 0 0
2022 NYG 13 11 88 46 42 1.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 LV 1 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 88 69 626 378 248 11.0 2 43 21.5 0 21 6 5 1
Sep 27, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) pressure Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) pressure Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports