Friday was an emotional one for Dallas Cowboys fans. It started with longtime Cowboys Michael Gallup and Leighton Vander Esch getting released.
While the writing was on the wall with both Gallup and Vander Esch, fans were dealt another dagger when franchise great Tyron Smith agreed to sign with the Jets.
A divorce between Smith and the Cowboys had been brewing since the two sides discussed a potential contract at the NFL Combine. They were reportedly mountains apart and Smith was the premier left tackle on the market.
Letting Smith go unfortunately aligns with Dallas' lack of spending in free agency. His departure leaves the Cowboys in a bind at left tackle. Will Tyler Smith kick out from left guard? Will they draft a tackle with the No. 24 overall pick next month?
Like DeMarcus Ware, fans will be rooting for Smith to capture a Super Bowl before he retires. However, the eight-time Pro Bowler's first comments about signing with the Jets will have Cowboys Nation sick to its stomach.
Source: The #Jets are expected to sign former #Cowboys All-Pro and Pro Bowl LT Tyron Smith, a new blindside protector for Aaron Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/VLNEDMzDds
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2024
Tyron Smith praising Aaron Rodgers after signing with Jets will make Cowboys fans sick.
Per insider Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, the idea of protecting Aaron Rodgers' blindside in pursuit of a Super Bowl appealed to Smith. Smith referenced Rodgers' success against the Cowboys in the playoffs (!) and noted that he would have loved to finish his career in Dallas.
"I would’ve love to have stayed home in Dallas, but as we all know it’s a business the way it works. I still feel like the have an opportunity to win it, and anything I can do for the team to help them out, I’m going to do me best to do it.”
"I feel like it’s going to be amazing," Smith said of playing with Rodgers. "Of course me being with Dallas, he’s kicked our butts twice in the playoffs—so I know what he's capable of. Honestly, I’m just excited about the opportunity.”
Smith really twisted the knife with that Rodgers comment. The future Hall of Famer obviously meant no harm with that. He doesn't have a bad bone in his body and there's seemingly no bad blood between him and the front office. He's merely conveying his excitement to play with an all-time great quarterback.
Having said that, Smith mentioning Rodgers' two playoff wins against the Cowboys, both of which were heartbreaking losses for Dallas, stings beyond measure. Good for Smith for getting his money and we wish him nothing but success and good health in the Big Apple.
However, Cowboys fans may go into hiding if Smith helps the team's foremost villain of the last 15 years win a Super Bowl. It might not be an NFC East team, but it would still be very painful for Cowboys fans to watch.