The Dallas Cowboys haven’t yet finalized their plans for left tackle Tyron Smith for the 2024 NFL season.
But the future Hall of Famer, now a free agent at the age of 33, seems to have finalized a key part of his plans.
In 13 starts – to a great degree conquering injury concerns – Smith earned second-team All-Pro honors.
And maybe that has given him clarity on what he wishes to do in 2024. Does retirement appeared to be an option for Smith?
It seems not, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, with a report that Tyron isnt calling it quits just yet.
“I don’t know (if Smith is returning to the Cowboys) but I talked to Tyron’s agent and Tyron is not retiring,” reporter Clarence Hill told 105.3 The Fan. “So he will play here or somewhere else next year.”
In Mike McCarthy’s season-ending press conference, the Cowboys head coach praised Smith for his elite work
“I think the biggest thing for Tyron is … the training plan that was in place for him,” McCarthy said. “This is clearly his best season that I’ve experienced with him since 2020. So, he felt really good about that.”
Now comes the next question: Assumimg the report on Tyron’s plan is accurate – and knowing as we do that while he would leave the Cowboys if necessary but that he doesn’t want to – can both sides find a way to capitalize on the situation?
Tyron is unusually close to and loyal to the Jones family; that motivated him to take a financial haircut in a reduced salary a year ago.
Would he do that again? Does he need, say, $10 million APY to stay? Does he “deserve” a big chunk of change in guaranteed money – which might mean a less-palatable multi-year deal?
And one more thing – and because Jerry Jones issued his “all-in” vow, this is going to come up a lot this offseason: If Dallas is fully committed to the 2024 season while claiming they’re going to “not to build it for the future” (Jerry’s words) … then the aging All-Pro left tackle is compensated to once again protect Dak Prescott … right?