After 13 Hall-of-Fame seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, offensive tackle Tyron Smith appears on his way out.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the 33-year-old Smith looks like he will be elsewhere in 2024.
End of an era: #Cowboys All-Pro and Pro Bowl LT Tyron Smith will be a free agent and is unlikely to return to Dallas, sources say. The blindside protector since 2011, Smith will be highly coveted. pic.twitter.com/eiTolVeFw6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2024
With Smith expected to be available on the free-agent market, he immediately becomes the top offensive tackle available, regardless of his age. In his 13 seasons in Dallas, Smith made the Pro Bowl eight times, was a two-time first-team All-Pro and a three-time second-team All-Pro.
Why would Dallas move on from Smith?
It sounds like the two sides differ on Smith’s value. Smith sees what Trent Williams got paid into his 30s and likely wants the same treatment from the Cowboys. Also, the Cowboys could move Tyler Smith to left tackle. Smith played left tackle as a rookie and looked excellent before moving to left guard last season.
Guess who has the second-most salary-cap room and needs a left tackle? The Washington Commanders.
Washington released Charles Leno Jr. on Friday due to his age, injuries, and salary number. Smith is older than Leno, will cost more and also has an injury history. So, why would the Commanders sign another older offensive tackle?
Leno was a solid player, an overachiever. Smith is an elite player. And all general manager Adam Peters needs to do is ask his new head coach Dan Quinn how much gas Smith has left in the tank. Smith hasn’t played a full season since 2015. He played in 13 games last season.
Here’s a look at how many games Smith has played in each of the past five seasons:
- 2019: 13
- 2020: 2
- 2021: 11
- 2022: 4
- 2023: 13
That’s concerning, for sure. But the Commanders will have better knowledge of Smith’s injuries than any other team, thanks to Quinn.
Any team interested in Smith will have competition. Contending teams needing offensive line help should be all over Smith. The Commanders aren’t expected to be a contender in 2024, but that doesn’t mean Washington isn’t trying to win. If the Commanders select a rookie quarterback at No. 2 overall, it would make sense to invest in a veteran left tackle.
If Washington signed Smith, it would also need to sign a quality swing tackle. That would make bringing back veteran Cornelius Lucas even more critical. Lucas has thrived in the swing tackle role over the past four seasons.
Injuries and age are concerns with Smith, but he will immediately be one of the top free agents available. Does Washington kick the tired on the longtime Cowboy? It would be a wise short-term decision.
