The Cowboys still have a lot of extensions to work on with their players, but they have signed a deal with linebacker Jaylon Smith. The Notre Dame product has signed a five-year, $64 million deal with $35.5 million guaranteed. The team announced the details of the contract in a press conference on Tuesday.
The Cowboys are holding a press conference to announce a new contract extension. Tune in now to watch live. https://t.co/p3S5MACJFa
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 20, 2019
The deal makes him a top-five paid linebacker based on guarantees, but on average annual salary is less than other linebackers who have signed this offseason.
So, to recap:
Jaylon Smith gets a 5-yr, $64 MM deal with $35.5 MM guaranteed.
That's $12.8 MM per year aka less than the 5 off-ball linebackers who signed this offseason.
Folks, that's called doing a team-friendly contract. It's about $5 MM below market value!
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) August 20, 2019
Smith, 24, was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He likely would’ve been an early first-round pick, but he had a gruesome knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl in his last season in college.
He had a solid season in 2017 with 81 total tackles, two passes defended and two forced fumbles. Smith really broke out last season with 121 total tackles, four passes defended and two interceptions.
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