FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys have a gigantic decision to make on Tyler Smith.
But the decision isn’t about whether to sign him.
Rather, it’s about when … and it’s about how much.
And yet Smith is now the subject of a nonsensical trade rumor, with one site claiming he could “seek” a trade or demand a contract extension solely because he hired a new agent.
It is true that Smith has switched to the agency Athletes First, an agency that the Cowboys are very familiar with. But it is not true that the decision is calculated to fuel a breakup between the player and the Cowboys.
And yet one site writes …
“Unfortunately for Smith, it’s hard to envision a world where the Dallas Cowboys prioritize him. Owner Jerry Jones has dragged his feet with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s extensions, and the unsigned Micah Parsons is (rightfully) their top priority at the moment.
“Smith could be the odd-man out, but several teams across the league could be willing to trade for the offensive lineman and give him the contract he deserves.”
Outside of the Dak/Lamb/Micah info there, the rest of it is baloney.
The Cowboys see the Smith star potential more than anyone does. That is why they were quick to pick up Smith’s fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Indeed, a team source tells CowboysCountry.com that it was “one of our easiest (decisions) ever.”
His projected 2026 salary will be $21.27 million, and we will take it a step behind: Dallas’ first-round pick from a few seasons ago, having blossomed into one of the best offensive guards in the NFL, will eventually become the highest-paid guard ever, with a four-year deal averaging $22 million per totaling $88 million.
That sort of thing – and not trading him to Seattle or anyplace else – is the Cowboys plan.
Having just spent over a decade with future Hall-of-Fame guard Zack Martin before his recent retirement, Jerry Jones is committed to what he calls “keeping your strengths strong.” He believes Smith is the next great O-lineman in Dallas’ rich history in the trenches.
Does that mean he will get a massive extension right away? Not necessarily, because we know how the Cowboys move.
But does that mean he will get one eventually? Nonsense aside, that is exactly what it means, as Dallas has already mapped out its plan to retain Tyler Smith for the long term right alongside Lamb and Micah and the rest.
