Dallas Cowboys free agent offensive tackle Tyron Smith is one of the most storied players of his generation. Originally selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, the USC product has proven himself time and time again as one of the best offensive tackles in all of football. Since entering the league, Smith has earned First-Team All-Pro honors on two separate occasions and made eight trips to the Pro Bowl. Despite his advanced age, he remains as reliable as ever, finishing the 2023 season with the fourth-best PFF grade in the league.
However, the tackle has suffered injuries throughout the years, and the Cowboys selected Smith’s eventual successor when they took Tyler Smith in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Now that Tyron Smith is a free agent, the Cowboys plan on moving Tyler Smith from guard to tackle and having Tyron Smith depart in free agency. This report comes from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, one of the most connected insiders in the league. After a phenomenal 13 years with America’s Team, the decorated offensive lineman will have a new NFL home for the first time in his career.
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
Free Agent Tyron Smith Will Not Return To Dallas Cowboys (Report)
Nobody ever wants to lose a free agent as good as Tyron Smith, even if he is on the older side. However, the Cowboys are currently in cap trouble and need to set aside money for homegrown stars CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. With Dak Prescott also set to receive a hefty raise, the 34-year-old Smith was the odd man out. Tyler Smith played well at left tackle in the past, so the Cowboys offensive line shouldn’t get too much worse without him.
Tyron Smith might not have a home in Dallas anymore, but the free agent should have plenty of suitors across the league. Starting-caliber tackles are few and far between, and Smith is still one of the best in the league when healthy. While there are some legitimate injury concerns surrounding the tackle, these five teams should be more than willing to roll the dice on the former All-Pro staying healthy.
Best Team Fits
Kansas City Chiefs
Depending on what happens with Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed, the Kansas City Chiefs might not have the money to sign Tyron Smith as a free agent. However, if they find a way to fit him under the salary cap, this is a no-brainer. The Chiefs have an elite interior offensive line, a serviceable right tackle in Jawaan Taylor, and nobody of note at left tackle. Donovan Smith will probably depart in free agency, and even if he does come back, Kansas City should be looking for a better option. Tyron Smith would make this perhaps the best offensive line in the game, and giving Patrick Mahomes this type of protection just isn’t fair for the rest of the league.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have over $100 million in cap space and no offensive tackles. So, while Tyron Smith might want to sign with a contender, the Patriots have the money to make the free agent an offer he can’t refuse. The Patriots will have a new quarterback next year, and they’ll need to improve the offensive line if they want to give that guy a chance to succeed. Tyron Smith is easily the best option out there, and if the Patriots can also retain Mike Onwenu, they should have an above-average offensive line in 2024.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans had the worst offensive line in football last year, and they’ll need to improve that if they want to see what they have in Will Levis. The Titans might not have the most competitive roster in the league, but they do have over $80 million in cap space. By signing Tyron Smith as a free agent and investing in a few other offensive positions, this team could surprise under first-year head coach Brian Callahan.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders offensive line surrendered the most sacks in the NFL last year, and they just parted ways with arguably their best offensive linemen. While Sam Howell was responsible for a good chunk of those sacks, the fact remains that this offensive line needs to get a whole lot better if they want to support their next franchise quarterback. Tyron Smith makes perfect sense as a free agent, and he’d probably love the opportunity to compete against his old teammates twice a year.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers don’t have the cap space to sign Tyron Smith as a free agent, but they can get it by releasing Mike Williams or trading Khalil Mack. Rashawn Slater has the left tackle position locked down, but right tackle is a bit of a mess. Smith played right tackle in the past, and he might be willing to do it again if it means playing for a great young quarterback in Justin Herbert and a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron – USA Today Sports
