The Dallas Cowboys pass rush will look a lot different in 2020 than it did a season ago. Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe were added to upgrade the interior, Bradlee Anae was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, and Randy Gregory is expected to be reinstated as well. However, former All-Pro Defensive End Aldon Smith, who hasn’t played since 2015, just might be the most intriguing of all of the Cowboys offseason moves.
Not only will the Cowboys get a rejuvenated Smith who has completely turned his life around off the field but he’s bigger than his old playing weight. Earlier this week, Smith spoke with Sirius XM NFL Radio about how he’s carrying his heavier frame.
“Shape-wise I feel great. I feel great. I feel young. I feel… my twenties. I feel fresh. So I’m good on that. My weight’s good. I’m a little heavier, but it’s all muscle and I’ve been carrying it long enough and I move well, if not better. I mean, I’m healthy. I think in the past when I was playing I had a lot of other things going on, in my head, and things that were going on off the field. And me having the success that I had back then, with all of that going on, now just being completely a whole different surroundings and just… life’s different. I’m in a different place. That mind along with the body is just, I feel much better. I was able to work with Jay while I was in L.A. and the trainers there, I can’t name all the trainers and people who have helped me out, just while I’ve been gone. But I’ve been able to be blessed to be around people who care about me and are making sure that I’m taking care of my mind and body. So I’m excited. I’m looking forward to when I’m able to get on the field and show everybody.”
We got our first glimpse of Smith’s new physique back in April when Jay Glazer of FOX Sports released a video of him working out from January. Now around 287 pounds, Smith is looking to provide much-needed edge rush help along with Gregory and Anae to complement DeMarcus Lawrence to make up for the loss of Defensive End Robert Quinn, who led the Cowboys with 11.5 sacks in 2019.
Smith has a great shot at being the NFL’s best redemption story in a long time if he continues down the straight and narrow path he’s on. He’s definitely looking the part, obviously, now it’s time to see what he does on the field.
