Cowboys odds of re-signing Tyron Smith in free agency just skyrocketed

It feels like the Dallas Cowboys are going to sign a running back before long. Mulitple insiders have linked the Cowboys to Packers free agent A.J. Dillon and a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott has suddenly entered the picture. While we await news on that front, fans have waited in earnest for the Tyron Smith shoe to drop.

Reports following the NFL Combine revealed that Smith and the Cowboys were headed for a divorce after the two sides were mountains apart in negotiations over a new contract. While Smith returning to Dallas is still a possibility, the Pro Bowl left tackle is considering his options.

As arguably the top offensive tackle on the market, it was widely assumed that Smith would find a new home early into the legal tampering period. For whatever reason, that hasn't happened and the door for the Cowboys to re-sign Smith has flown wide open thanks to a trade between AFC teams.

On Wednesday, the New York Jets acquired veteran right tackle Morgan Moses from the Baltimore Ravens. The Jets were desperate for tackle help in free agency and this could take them out of the running to sign Smith.

Cowboys have window of opportunity to re-sign Tyron Smith after Jets-Ravens trade

The Jets still need a left tackle, but they already had limited cap space to throw around. With Moses slated to make $5 million in 2024, New York likely can't afford to sign Smith. With Aaron Rodgers under center, it's widely expected the Jets will pursue longtime Packers LT David Bakhtiari. You can almost guarantee it given how many former Packers have followed Rodgers to the Big Apple.

Signing two injury-prone tackles would make little sense for the win-now Jets, so they will probably draft a tackle with the No. 10 overall pick.

Many free agency predictions had Smith signing with the Jets. While the Chiefs remain an obvious suitor, New York is likely out of the running now that they traded for Moses. The less competition for Smith, the more realistic it is that he finds his way back to the Cowboys.

Granted, the Chiefs could still make a run at Smith. Patrick Mahomes restructured his contract to create $21.6 million in cap space, so Kansas City has more than enough money to entice the eight-time Pro Bowler.

Luckily, the tackle market has been slow-moving, so Dallas has time to get its ducks in a row and make enough cap room to sign Smith. The Jets acquisition of Moses is a small victory for the Cowboys, but a victory nonetheless.

We'll see if Jerry Jones capitalizes on this opportunity.

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