NEW DELHI: Tyron Smith, the seasoned eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, has expressed his intention to continue his illustrious career, hoping to return for a 14th season with the Cowboys in 2024. According to reports from the Dallas Morning News, the 33-year-old offensive lineman is eager to extend his tenure with the team.
Scheduled to become a free agent in March, Smith’s future with the Cowboys is currently uncertain.Despite his impressive track record, having started in all 161 games played since being drafted ninth overall in 2011, injuries have plagued Smith in recent years. He has not played a full season since 2015, raising questions about his durability and availability for the upcoming season.Complicating matters is the presence of Tyler Smith, drafted by Dallas in the first round in 2022, who is seen as Tyron Smith’s heir apparent. The emergence of the young offensive lineman adds an additional layer of uncertainty to Tyron Smith’s potential return.
Head coach Mike McCarthy addressed Tyron Smith’s situation during a recent season-ending press conference, highlighting the positive aspects of the veteran’s performance in the 2023 season.
“I think the biggest thing for Tyron is, talking about the path of the season and the training plan that was in place for him, this is clearly his best season that I have experienced with him since 2020,” McCarthy stated. “So, he felt good about that. I think the fact that he’s not going into the offseason with offseason surgeries is a plus. We’ll continue to talk as we move forward.”
While Tyron Smith’s desire to extend his career with the Cowboys is evident, the decision ultimately rests on the team’s assessment of his fitness, performance, and how he fits into their future plans. As the offseason progresses, discussions between the veteran left tackle and the Cowboys management will likely shape the course of his potential return for the 2024 season.
(Inputs from Reuters)
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