Dallas Cowboys continue to sign players to contract extensions, but not the ones you would think. Cowboys confirmed on Wednesday that they have agreed to a five-year extension with linebacker Jaylon Smith.
This deal, which is worth $64 million, will keep Smith with the organization through 2024 NFL season. The 24-year-old had a breakthrough season in 2018, finishing the year with 121 tackles and 4.0 sacks alongside one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown.
“This is a contract story,” – said Cowboys’ owner and general manager Jerry Jones. “And this is a contract story that is not just this year or not just next year, this has it all. It has overcoming. It has talent. It has rewarding ambition. Or it just has the beginning of what ambition will get you in the future. That’s the biggest, most exciting thing about this.”
Cowboys took Jaylon Smith 34th overall in 2016, despite the fact that he suffered a serious knee in his last college game. The injury forced him to sit out his rookie year, but he successfully recovered in time for 2017 season and managed to play all 16 games with six starts. 2018 saw him start all 16 games and winning PFF’s Breakout Player of the Year award.
While tying Smith to a long term deal is a big success for Dallas Cowboys, the organization still has more job to do. Their three main players in quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott and wide receiver Amari Cooper are all asking for contract extensions this summer and talks are not all that smooth.
Prescott is reportedly asking to be the highest-paid quarterback in the league, while Elliott decided to hold out until he becomes the highest-paid running back. Cooper is also asking for top WR dollar.
