The reasons Tyron Smith departed the Dallas Cowboys are not a secret.

Before joining the New York Jets this offseason, the seasoned Cowboys left tackle, who had the longest contract on the team, gave an explanation for his departure from the only NFL team he had ever played for.

One topic of criticism has been the Cowboys’ lack of action in free agency. Only linebacker Eric Kendricks is an outside free agent that they have signed, and they have allowed several important veterans to depart via free agency, including Smith, Tony Pollard, Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, Dante Fowler, Leighton Vander Esch, Neville Gallimore, Jonathan Hankins, and Michael Gallup.

Dallas, which had earlier declared its intention to take an all-in strategy, has not shown that it is “all-in” during the free agency window. In recent remarks, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones defended the team’s policy of allowing free agency.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones stated, “We are going to stick with what we believe will ultimately get us a championship for our fans,” as reported by Jon Machota of The Athletic. “What you spend in free agency is not how we define all-in. It is maintaining the unity of the core.

Tyron Smith Explains Why He Signed With Jets
Smith — who was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft — further explained why he left the Cowboys despite turning in his fifth All-Pro season in 2023.

“I saw that, what they [the Jets] can do as far as the team, and everyone wants to win as any team does,” Smith said. “I just feel like they have all the pieces together right now with the final pieces this offseason to produce a team that could go all the way. I played against Aaron [Rodgers] throughout my career a couple times [in the postseason]. I know what kind of quarterback he is. I know what he can do if you just give him a little bit of time. I’m just here to do my best to give him that time.”

Although he’s one of the older players in the league, Smith turned in one of the best seasons of his career in 2023. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith posted an 83.8 offensive grade and 88.6 pass-blocking grade during the 2023 season. His pass-blocking grade led all full-time tackles in 2023. He allowed just one sack in 840 snaps for a 98.1 efficiency rating. His efficiency rating was the third-highest in a single season during his career.

What’s more, for the first time in years, he displayed some durability. After missing 33 games in the previous three seasons, Smith participated in 13 games.

Smith, who will turn 34 in 2024, inked a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $6.5 million and a maximum of $13.5 million if incentives are met.

Smith said of his contract, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN, “It speaks for what’s been happening for the past couple of years.” “To be honest, I think it’s a good deal.”

As the Jets attempt to position themselves as postseason contenders, Smith is positioned to guard Aaron Rodgers, who sustained a ruptured Achilles in the season opener the previous year.