Long-time Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith is set to call it a career and retire after 14 NFL seasons, NFL Network’s senior insider Ian Rapoport reports.
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys announced they would host a press conference concerning Smith’s future at 3 p.m. ET Wednesday. Smith is expected to sign a one-day contract with the Cowboys before hanging it up.
Smith, 34 years-of-age, played 13 of his 14 NFL seasons with the Cowboys after being the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of USC. He began his career playing at right tackle before eventually making the move and switching with Doug Free to take over the blind side.
In Dallas, Smith was annually one of the NFL’s elite offensive tackles. He was a five-time All-Pro, making the first team on two occasions and second team three times, and was named to eight Pro Bowls while playing in 161 games (all starts) for the franchise.
Smith was injury prone over his final four seasons with ‘America’s Team’. He took the field in just 30 of a possible 67 regular-season games while dealing with neck, back, ankle and knee problems.
Embed from Getty ImagesSmith’s injury issues forced the Cowboys to move on from him prior to the 2024 NFL season. He signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets worth up to $20 million and played in 10 games, surrendering five sacks and committing six penalties. He graded 30th among Pro Football Focus’ 81 qualified tackles for 2024; his overall grade of 73.7 was his fourth lowest for a season in his outstanding career.
Smith becomes the third top 10 pick from the 2011 NFL draft to officially retire during the 2025 NFL offseason, joining Patrick Peterson and Julio Jones.
As of right now, there are just four players from the 2011 draft class still on NFL rosters. They are as follows: Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints, Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers, Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers and Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets
Von Miller and Lawrence Guy are the only other 2011 draftees to play during the 2024 NFL campaign who have not yet put pen to paper and signed contracts for the 2025 season
