I can say that the decision by the Dallas Cowboys to let veteran offensive tackle Tyron Smith walk in free agency has been scrutinized because his performance with the New York Jets has been less than stellar.
Smith, a longtime fixture on the Cowboys’ offensive line and a future Hall of Famer, signed a one-year, $20 million deal with the Jets in the offseason. The Jets, seeking to strengthen their offensive line and safeguard quarterback Aaron Rodgers, viewed the move as a strategic advantage.
Struggles in New York
However, Smith’s time in New York has been anything but smooth. In six starts, he has given up five sacks and a boatload of pressures, making him one of the weakest links on the Jets’ offensive line.
Despite the Jets’ coaching staff remaining optimistic about Smith’s ability to turn things around, the former Cowboys star has struggled to recapture the dominant form that made him one of the best left tackles in the league.
Cowboys’ Decision to Let Smith Go
Concerns about Smith’s injury history and declining performance were a major factor in the Cowboys’ difficult decision to part ways with him.
“There is another factor that has been overlooked.” No, the Cowboys didn’t want anything to do with matching the dollar figure that New York ponied up for the 33-year-old blocker. His one-year deal, if you read the fine print, can be worth up to $20 million. And seriously, that might be four times what the Cowboys were willing to spend in this ‘Blow It Up/Remodel’ season.”
Furthermore, the Cowboys were apprehensive about Smith’s capacity to maintain his previous level of dominance, as the strain of his extensive career was beginning to show.
Evaluating the Cowboys’ decision
Despite the emotional farewell from the Dallas fan base, it’s evident in hindsight that the Cowboys’ decision to let Smith go may have been the right one.
The Cowboys have been able to move forward with their “Blow It Up/Remodel” season, while Smith has struggled to recapture his past form with the Jets. The team’s decision to draft Tyler Guyton as a potential replacement has also paid dividends, as he has outperformed Smith in several key metrics.
“It’s challenging to determine if the Cowboys would have drafted Tyler Guyton as a project player if they had retained Smith for another year, but it’s safe to say the answer is yes.” Guyton currently ranks 70th out of 76 OTs that PFF has graded this season.
The future of Smith and the Jets
Despite his struggles, the Jets remain optimistic about Smith’s ability to turn things around and become a valuable asset for their offensive line.
“Just like everyone, just like this team, we need to get into a groove, and we’re about to do that,” Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “I feel that it’s coming on, so he’s improving just like the rest of them are, and we’re about to be the best version of ourselves this Sunday.”
However, it’s unclear whether Smith can regain his previous form and help the Jets salvage their season given their overall offensive line struggles.
Lessons Learned for the Cowboys
The Cowboys’ decision to let Smith go was a difficult one, but it appears to have been the right move in hindsight. The team’s ability to identify and develop young talent, such as Guyton, has helped to cushion the blow of losing a veteran like Smith.
As the NFL season progresses, it will be fascinating to see whether the Cowboys’ decision to part ways with Smith proves to be a savvy move or a missed opportunity. For now, it seems that the team’s calculated approach to roster management has paid dividends, even if it came at the cost of a beloved player.
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