Cowboys have unique advantage to convince LT Tyron Smith of returning ahead of 2024 NFL free agency
As the 2024 NFL free agency period approaches, the Dallas Cowboys are slowly running out of time to secure left tackle Tyron Smith for another year. Smith reportedly has no intentions to retire this offseason and it's clear there will be a market for him. The Cowboys left tackle earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 […]
As the 2024 NFL free agency period approaches, the Dallas Cowboys are slowly running out of time to secure left tackle Tyron Smith for another year.
Smith reportedly has no intentions to retire this offseason and it's clear there will be a market for him. The Cowboys left tackle earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and although he missed a few games, Smith looked much healthier on the field as he showed he's still one of the best in the business in just about every statistic and metric.
Per ESPN's Todd Archer, the Cowboys are meeting with Smith's agents in Indianapolis during the NFL Scouting Combine. It's worth noting the franchise reportedly isn't meeting with representatives of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, or Micah Parsons.
Head coach Mike McCarthy has expressed his interest in bringing Smith back for 2024, noting that "just the fact that he's not going into the offseason with any big postseason surgeries is a real plus."
That's no small thing. In fact, Archer reports both sides are happy with the practice plan that helped keep him healthier in 2023 compared to other years.
That's a unique advantage the Cowboys have in convincing Smith to return for another year. Last season, Smith rested for the majority of the week before getting ready for gameday, limiting his workload and exposure to injury. If one thing is clear is Tyron has the work ethic to be ready to go on Sundays. While Smith can be promised similar treatment by other teams in free agency, with the Cowboys he knows for a fact what things will really look like.
That being said, the Cowboys can't expect Smith to sign for a similar deal to last year, where he was basically asked to take a pay cut with incentives that provided the opportunity to win the money back. After a successful 2023 campaign, Smith has more leverage as he played one of his best seasons in years and is considered the top tackle in free agency.
