Dallas Cowboys are getting creative in an attempt to add some pass rush to their defense. According to reports, Cowboys have signed outside linebacker Aldon Smith, who last played in the league in 2015.
Smith was out of the league for the past four years as a result of his troubling off-the-field behavior. He received an initial one-year suspension by NFL in 2015, but failed to convince the league to grant him reinstatement after.
Cowboys hope that the league will be more generous this time, which is why they were comfortable giving Smith a one-year, $4 million deal.
The 30-year-old himself confirmed the deal on social media, writing: “Life is good. I’m thankful. I’m blessed. I’m a Cowboy.”
Aldon Smith entered the league in 2011 as the 7th overall pick by San Francisco 49ers. He immediately made an impact in his rookie season, recording 14.0 sacks despite not making a single start. Smith followed that up with a breakthrough sophomore year, getting 19.5 sacks and earning First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.
Smith’s career went downhill from here, as various violations of the NFL’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies caused him to miss 18 games in the next three years. He played his last season with Oakland Raiders, getting 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks in nine games.
