The Cowboys have a lot of problems to solve during the 2022 offseason. But while present talent and free agents are enough cause for concern, Dallas’ efforts to improve and compete next season are being hindered by the lingering impact of former linebacker Jaylon Smith. Despite being released last October Smith’s still having a negative impact on the Cowboys.
After overcoming his college knee injury and putting in a Pro Bowl-worthy performance in 2018, Jaylon received a significant contract extension. He rewarded that by actually making the Pro Bowl in 2019 during the final season for Jason Garrett’s coaching regime.
Unfortunately, like just about everything else for the Cowboys and the world in 2020, things came crashing down for Smith. Defensive scheme changes under new coordinator Mike Nolan left Jaylon lost on the field and publicly criticizing his coach off of it. The tape not only showed Smith looking hesitant and making poor decisions but even his physical tools appeared to be in decline.
Despite all the good that dumping Nolan for Dan Quinn did for Dallas defense in 2021, Jaylon didn’t seem to catch the wave. His issues from the previous season were still there and quickly led to Micah Parsons, Keanu Neal, and others claiming the majority of the snaps.
Smith slid far and fast, going from a former team captain to being released after Week 4. He only got significant playing time in Weeks 2 and 3 as Dallas suffered a huge rash of early-season COVID issues.
Whether it was the physical or the mental breakdowns or both, the Cowboys clearly saw Jaylon as a liability and progress stopper for other talent at linebacker. It was bad enough that Dallas was willing to eat a huge chunk of guaranteed money remaining on Smith’s contract; the damage from which will carry on in 2022.
Jaylon’s former contract continues to count $6.8 million against the Cowboys’ 2022 salary cap. In an offseason that finds Dallas dealing with over 20 free agents and needing to make some big moves to get under the cap and conduct business, this money still allotted to Smith is no small issue.
The Cowboys have only themselves to blame on this one. The red flags from 2020 were glaring and, given the quick release after just four games, Dallas clearly had its doubts about Jaylon going into the year.
While Smith’s presence certainly didn’t impede Micah Parsons’ development into a rookie phenom, what else might the Cowboys have done to work on the LB position in 2021 with him? Could Jabril Cox have received more reps and then gotten more time in the regular season? Might Dallas have found a stronger investment in free agency than a conversion project like Keanu Neal?
The Cowboys now found themselves even weaker at linebacker ahead of the 2022 offseason. Parsons is great but now Neal and Leighton Vander Esch are free agents while Cox is still very inexperienced and recovering from a torn ACL.
Clearly, Dallas held on to Jaylon Smith a year too long. And that decision affected offseason moves last year which continue to impact the team today.
To be fair, the Cowboys were proven right that Quinn’s arrival as defensive coordinator would be the tide that raised all ships. He won Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021 and seemed to make nearly everyone on the defense better, albeit with help from Parsons’ impact.
Sadly, Jaylon was one of the few who didn’t benefit from Quinn’s arrival. Only the Cowboys coaches and executives know how much faith they had in Smith to improve but clearly, to whatever extent, it was misplaced.
Now, with $6.8 million less in their salary cap coffers and some huge holes at linebacker, Dallas continues to pay for that mistake.
