Tyron Smith chose Jets over Cowboys for Super Bowl aspirations; Dallas’ inactivity led to departure

Tyron Smith, a left tackle, is a certain to go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame thanks to his level play, which he displayed for 13 seasons while starting for the Dallas Cowboys.

After being taken ninth overall out of USC in the 2011 NFL Draft, he has gone on to win eight Pro Bowls, two First Team All-Pro awards, and a selection to the league’s 2010 All-Decade Team. But Smith’s career Cowboys postseason record of 3-6 has prevented him from ever making it past the divisional stage of the playoffs. His desire to win a Super Bowl overshadowed his decision to join with the New York Jets and play alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had twice eliminated him and the Cowboys in the postseason while he was a member of the Green Bay Packers.

According to the team’s Twitter account, Smith stated on Thursday, “I saw that, what they [the Jets] can do as far as the team, and everyone wants to win as much as any team does.” “They seem to have all the necessary components right now, and they will add the last few this offseason to create a team that has the potential to contend.” Throughout my career, I faced up against Aaron [Rodgers] a few times in playoff action. I am aware of the type of quarterback he is. Give him some time, and I know what he’s capable of. All I’m trying to do is give him some time.”

Prior to Rodgers, who made his Jets debut in Week 1 of the 2023 season and played just four snaps before suffering a torn Achilles, Smith is a part of the offensive line makeover for the team. Additionally, New York acquired former Ravens offensive lineman Morgan Moses through trade, and signed former offensive guard John Simpson for two years and $12 million.

Smith was limited by a number of injuries over the years, but he was still able to play in 13 of the Cowboys’ 17 regular-season games and their most recent playoff loss to the Packers. Smith gave up just one sack and sixteen quarterback pressures during the regular season—barely more than one per game. He led all NFL offensive linemen in 2023 with a pass-blocking grade of 89.9 on Pro Football Focus.

Smith stated, according to ESPN, of his one-year contract with $6.5 million guaranteed and $13.5 million available through incentives, “It speaks for what’s been happening for the past couple of years.” “Honestly, I think it’s a fair deal.”

Dallas has had little cap space ($5.5 million as of right now, per OverTheCap.com) to work with in free agency due to their lack of activity this offseason, most notably not extending 2023 NFL MVP runner-up quarterback Dak Prescott and 2023 NFL receptions leader wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, both of whom are in the final year of their current contracts. Eric Kendricks, a linebacker, is the only external free agent they have signed thus far.

“And for the way things were looking in Dallas, I knew it was most likely going to be the Jets,” Smith stated. “Honestly, I got excited for a new chapter in my life.”