Fansided

Jaylon Smith’s future with the Cowboys seems to have been decided

By Bre'ana Singleton

Dec 13, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) celebrates after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) celebrates after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys will need to make some changes ahead of the NFL free agency period, and Jaylon Smith’s future with the team is clearing up. 

The Dallas Cowboys started the 2020 NFL season as supposed Super Bowl contenders. An unfortunate and gruesome injury to franchise quarterback Dak Prescott sent America’s team’s already mediocre season spiraling to a 6-10 finish.

While losing Prescott obviously hurt, it was the Dallas defense that was its glaring deficiency. Jerry Jones has since replaced Mike Nolan with former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn in hopes of correcting the issue.

The main free-agency concern of the Cowboys is obviously regarding the future of Prescott. Whether they figure out how to keep him in Dallas or not before the March 9 franchise tag deadline, they’ll still need to clear some space to be under the salary cap.

According to NFL Player’s Association records, the team has roughly $17.5 million in cap room under the projected cap of $180 million. Releases and contract restructures are sure to be on the horizon to help them get under the cap, but which players will be affected?

According to a report, it won’t be linebacker Jaylon Smith.

Cowboys are reportedly not interested in releasing linebacker Jaylon Smith

Despite the fact that Dallas could clear $7.2 million in cap space by releasing Smith and designating him as a post-June 1 cut, the team doesn’t seem to have any interest in getting rid of him. Smith has come under fire by fans and media alike during his time in Dallas but he finished last season with a career-high 154 total tackles.

Even if they did cut him, they’d be left with $2.6 million in dead money – and they’d have to pay his replacement. Heading into his fifth season with the team, Smith has become known for his sometimes poorly-timed celebrations and other antics. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Dallas front office is more of a fan of Smith than their actual fan base is of him.

So as of now, the Cowboys may feel like it’s cheaper to keep him.

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