As he approaches free agency, NFL great Tyron Smith has no intention of quitting football just yet. The left lineman still hopes to play a longer season with the Dallas Cowboys. The 33-year-old is hoping for an extension from the AFC team, but he will become a free agent next month if he is not given a new contract. No offer has been made as of yet.
In 2023, the eight-time Pro Bowler had one of his best seasons ever with the Cowboys, starting 13 games and earning a spot on the second team of the All-Pro squad.
Smith has ‘no plans’ to hang up his cleats, according to a Dallas Morning News story by Calvin Watkins. He is hoping for a last-minute change of heart from his team.
Additionally, if he can avoid injuries in the offseason, coach Mike McCarthy—who is remaining for the 2024–2025 season—seems to think he has a chance of landing a contract.
At his season-ending news conference last month, McCarthy stated, “I think the biggest thing for Tyron is, talking about the path of the season and the training plan that was in place for him, this is clearly his best season that I have experienced with him since 2020.”
He was pleased with that, then. It’s a benefit, in my opinion, that he won’t be recovering from offseason surgery. We’ll stay in communication as we proceed.”
A worrying injury record
After battling several recurrent problems that dogged his NFL career throughout his prime, Smith might have moved past his injury difficulties. Since 2015, he hasn’t participated in a full season and has missed 51 out of 131 games during that time.
But there will be questions about the Cowboys’ ability to find a long-term successor, so it could be better for them if Smith leaves as a free agency.
In 2022, the Cowboys selected Tyler Smith in the first round as Smith’s eventual left tackle replacement. During his first season, Tyler Smith largely played left tackle after his namesake was sidelined for 13 games due to a ruptured hamstring that required surgery.
Tyron has a history of injuries, but his recent form could make him a desirable option for teams trying to fill a vacancy.
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