The Dallas Cowboys are releasing linebacker Jaylon Smith in a cost-cutting move because of a guaranteed salary next season. Smith’s role had been reduced this season after Micah Parsons was drafted 12th overall this year. Also the Cowboys moved free-agent pickup Keanu Neal too linebacker from safety. I have a hard time understanding this thinking. The decision won’t save the Cowboys any money on Smith’s $9.8 million salary-cap figure. But it does protect them from his $9.2 million salary for 2022 becoming guaranteed if he gets injured.
Can confirm. My sources tell me the #Cowboys tried unsuccessfully to trade Jaylon Smith. “He did everything we asked him to” but ultimately the play of guys like Keanu Neal, Leighton Vander Esch and I’m told perhaps increased use now of Jabril Cox led to the move bc of ⬇️ https://t.co/2YkPjxS6Ij — Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) October 6, 2021
The cowboys website said that attempts to trade Smith were unsuccessful. Dallas drafted Smith in the second round in 2016 knowing he wouldn’t play as a rookie because of a significant left knee injury sustained in his final game with Notre Dame at the Fiesta Bowl.
Enter Belichick
No one likes a bargain more than Bill Belichick. See all the hoopla over Jamie Collins being let go by the Lions and the talk of his imminent return. Why not go the whole ten yards and revamp this linebacking core in one felt swoop? Adding both Collins to the outside and Smith to the inside could remold this old – slow and underachieving group into a more athletic – driven and scary set of football players in a weeks time.
A reunion in the making: the Patriots are working towards a deal with free agent LB Jamie Collins to bring him back for his third stint with the team, per source. Collins should be able to contribute right away given his familiarity with the system. — Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 5, 2021
Dead Wood
Dont’a Hightower is still a team leader and deserves the chance to shake off his (Covid opt out) rust. Kyle Van Noy is another story all together. He seems uninterested – uninspired and quite frankly OLD out there. And while Smith is not great in coverage he is better than KVN. who also managed just one QB pressure last week. Teams will start game planning for New England’s One man wrecking crew that is Matt Judon. And maybe just maybe Jaylon Smith could return to his pro-bowl form in this defense . in 2018 Smith racked up 150 tackles and career bests four sacks with 13 quarterback pressures. in 2020 he had 154 combined and 1.5 sacks. not to mention 5 fumble recoveries over the past three seasons. While i love the thought of Collins returning i love the thought of revamping the LB room even more. If the cap numbers are doable i dont see a downside here.
As always you can follow / give me grief on Twitter @Tmurph207