The Dallas Cowboys will be faced with 16 of their own free agents this offseason, including veteran left tackle Tyron Smith. The team is looking to secure its future by meeting with his agent during the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Smith has had a long career, entering his 14th season, and the Cowboys want to keep him around for his leadership and skill on the field.
Smith has been a reliable asset to the team in the past, missing only one game in his first five seasons. However, his health has been a concern in recent years. He missed three games each from 2016 to 2019 with various injuries, including back, hamstring, and knee issues. He then underwent neck surgery and missed 14 games in the following year. Smith missed another 19 games in the following two years before playing in 13 games during the 2023 season. Despite his injury history, Smith’s performance on the field during last season earned him a second-team All-Pro nod as he allowed only one sack and 16 pressures.
In addition to Smith, the Cowboys are also meeting with Tyler Biadasz’s agent. Biadasz is another free agent the team will need to make a decision on during the offseason.
The Cowboys have also been dealing with the absence of Dak Prescott for much of the 2023 season. Prescott, the team’s starting quarterback, suffered a broken ankle in Week 5 and missed the rest of the season. The team struggled without him, finishing with a disappointing 7-10 record and missing the playoffs for a second straight year.
Despite the disappointing season, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has expressed his confidence in Prescott and his future with the team. The two sides have been in negotiations for a new contract, with reports suggesting that Prescott could become the highest-paid quarterback in the league.
With the Cowboys looking to secure the future of the left side of their offensive line, they have been rumored to be interested in drafting a left tackle in April’s draft. This would allow them to groom a new player to eventually take over for Smith, who may not have many years left in his career.
In addition to the offensive line, the Cowboys will also need to make decisions on several other positions. Wide receiver Amari Cooper is set to hit free agency along with linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and defensive end Randy Gregory. The team will need to decide which of these players they want to keep around for the future.
Overall, the offseason for the Dallas Cowboys will be filled with many difficult decisions. While they are looking to keep around their veterans, they are also looking to build for the future. With a high draft pick and a talented roster, the Cowboys have the potential to bounce back from a disappointing season, but it will require smart decisions during the offseason and beyond.
