Big news out of Dallas on the contract front. But it’s not who you think. The Jaylon Smith contract extension is a huge move for the Cowboys leading up to the season.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith is one of the most athletic linebackers in the NFL. He was a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of the University of Norte Dame. Smith had injury concerns entering the league and Dallas didn’t know how he would turn out.
They took a chance on him and it is paying off. Because of it, Smith received a five-year contract extension worth $64 million. He will now be in a Dallas Cowboys uniform until after the 2024 season.
Jaylen Smith is only 24 years old. He beat out quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, and wide receiver Amari Cooper for a contract extension.
I was not expecting Smith to receive a contract extension. He started in all 16 games last season, recording 121 tackles and six of them were for a loss. He recorded four sacks, had four pass deflections, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and scored a defensive touchdown.
Leighton Vander Esch and Sean Lee will probably be the other starting linebackers beside Jaylon Smith.
This Smith contract extension means that Owner Jerry Jones is not messing around. He has taken his shots at Ezekiel Elliott and I am starting to wonder if Jones will not give him a contract extension.
Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper have been at practice every single day. Both of them will most likely get their money at some point.
It will be interesting to see if it is before, during, or after the season is over. This team has Super Bowl expectations this season. They have not won the Super Bowl since 1996.
One of the reasons why the Dallas Cowboys made it to the playoffs last season was because of the defense. Jaylon Smith is also one of the leaders on the defensive side of the ball.
Without him playing, his presence is missed on the field and that is why Dallas decided to give him a contract extension now rather than later.
