Six weeks into the 2024 season is the perfect time to look back on decisions made during the offseason and apply some degree of hindsight to the situation. THE Cowboys made no shortage of controversial decisions last spring, allowing several internal free agents to leave greener pastures outside of Dallas.
Often presented as an opportunity to upgrade, the Cowboys brain trust attempted to convince legions of their loyal fans that departures were not only financially necessary, but also a calculated move to upgrade. In Tyron Smith’s case, there was some degree of both.
Smith was quickly becoming a player in decline with the Cowboys. The former All-Pro left tackle was no longer the man he used to be. Attrition had taken its toll and Smith was becoming an extremely injury-prone player for Dallas. Smith played in fewer than five games in two of his last four seasons in Dallas. When he was in the game, he was good, but he was no longer someone the team could count on to make plays.
How was the last time for the Cowboys?
His final season in Dallas was a bounce-back season for the 13-year veteran. Smith not only played in 13 games for the Cowboys, but once again proved to be one of the best blindside pass protectors in the NFL.
His run blocking, on the other hand, left something to be desired. Smith’s decline in the run blocking portion of the game looked significant in 2023 and the Cowboys likely saw it as a good time to part ways.
How is he doing in 2024?
Smith struggled mightily in 2024. Signed by the Jets to a one-year contract with a guaranteed value of $6,500,000, Smith was moved to left tackle for Aaron Rodgers’ Jets. During this time he recorded the 4th most pass blocking snaps in the NFL in overtime. He gave up the seventh-most pressures (16) and the second-most sacks (5).
His run blocking improved slightly, with Smith being scratched at 33rd.rd best run blocking OT in the NFL. Considering the difficult missions he was given and the number of times he was asked to play on an island, Smith ranks 27th overall.th OT in the NFL.
Where would he be if he had stayed in Dallas?
Starting LT. It’s hard to say the Cowboys would have even drafted Tyler Guyton if they had kept Smith for another year, but since Guyton was drafted as a project player, it’s safe to say yes. Guyton currently estimates 70th out of 76 OTs that PFF has graded this season.
Guyton played one fewer game than Smith and gave up three fewer pressures. Averaging 2.6 pressures per game, it’s fair to say Guyton would be tied with Smith had he played in Week 6.
Should the Cowboys have re-signed him?
Yes.
Even with Smith’s decline and injury history sorted, he’s a significant upgrade over what Guyton currently offers, and his presence would have opened up the playbook for the Cowboys’ offense to run more freely.
It is important to recognize that the responsibilities asked of Guyton are very different from those asked of Smith. Smith is given all the responsibilities of an elite LT and he rarely gets blocking support to help him get through it. Guyton gets help from other blockers, the signal caller and Dak Prescott himself. Chip blocks, right rollouts, and a quick release clock all keep the sack and pressure numbers modest for Guyton.
Smith probably isn’t what the Jets were hoping for when they signed him, but he’s much better than what Dallas has. Priced at $6,500,000 with no commitment beyond 2024, Smith is still worth it.
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This article was originally published on Cowboys Wire: Was letting this offensive lineman enter free agency the Cowboys’ biggest mistake in 2024?
