Tyron Smith's next team feels obvious if Cowboys don't re-sign him

In terms of free agents the Dallas Cowboys should bring back, Tyron Smith probably tops everyone's list. Stephon Gilmore is a close second, but the Cowboys have insurance at cornerback in the form of Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland if Gilmore were to leave this offseason.

Left tackle is a completely different story. While some members of the national media think Dallas should move Tyler Smith to LT full time, it's understood the team wants Smith to continue playing left guard. He was a second-team All-Pro at the position and made his first Pro Bowl in 2023.

While Smith could play left tackle in a pinch, he could soon develop into the league's premier left guard. It would make little sense for the Cowboys to switch positions on Smith (again) before his third season.

In other words, Dallas better push the envelope to re-sign Tyron Smith. If they don't there's an obvious destination for the bookend tackle. That team? The defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

It feels like Tyron Smith will sign with the Chiefs if he doesn't re-sign with the Cowboys

ESPN's Matt Bowen compiled a list of the top 50 free agents and their likely landing spots. Sure enough, Bowen mocked Smith to the Chiefs.

"The availability concerns for Smith are real; he has missed 33 games over the past four seasons with the Cowboys. But when healthy, Smith is a detailed technician with the physical demeanor to win on the edge. And he would absolutely upgrade the left tackle position for the Chiefs, limiting pass-rushers and keeping the throwing platform clean for quarterback Patrick Mahomes."

A handful of other media outlets have projected Smith to land in Kansas City if he isn't re-signed by the Cowboys. On paper, it's a perfect match. Patrick Mahomes did a lot to mask the struggles of the Chiefs' offensive line. Very quietly, they allowed the fourth-most pressures in the league this past season.

Of 70 tackles who played at least 500 snaps in 2023, Chiefs left tackle Donovan Smith's 60.3 pass-blocking grade ranked 55th, per Pro Football Focus. He also allowed the 10th-most hurries, 13th-most quarterback hits and 13th-most pressures. Essentially, Smith was a bottom third tackle in the league.

So, yes, Kansas City will be in the market for a left tackle this offseason.

The good news is Smith reportedly wants to return to the Cowboys. That indicates he'll give Jerry Jones first dibs at making an offer. Given that Smith (when healthy) has given the team a decade of Pro Bowl-caliber play at a premium position and took a lofty discount to return last year, Jones would be foolish not to re-sign the 33-year-old.

If he doesn't the Chiefs will be ready to pounce on Jones' mistake.

More Cowboys analysis