Matthew Lenix
The Dallas Cowboys have already buffered the interior of their defensive line with the additions of Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe. Now, they’ve taken a step to upgrade their pass rush from the perimeter with a very familiar face.
According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the Cowboys have agreed to a one-year deal with former Pro Bowl Defensive End Aldon Smith, worth four million.
Jay Glazer on Twitter
Breaking: The #dallascowboys have signed former Pro Bowl LB/DE Aldon Smith to a one-year, marking the end of a 4-year absence. Clean and sober now, incredible how much he’s turned his life around. @NFLonFOX @dallascowboys
Smith set the NFL world on fire in 2011 as the seventh overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers out of Missouri. He registered 14 sacks and quickly established himself as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He took it up another notch a year later in 2012 with 19.5 sacks and garnered Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors.
2013, however, began a series of troublesome situations for Smith. He was arrested for driving under the influence and marijuana possession and missed five games. In 2014 he was suspended for nine games for violating the league’s substance abuse and personal conduct policy. A year later, he was arrested for his third DUI and was released by the 49ers.
He would sign a one-year deal with the then Oakland Raiders. Unfortunately for Smith, he was issued a one-year suspension after a hit and run. He would re-sign with the Raiders in April of 2016 and applied for reinstatement in October, however, no reinstatement happened and Smith hasn’t played in the NFL since.
Now, after turning his life around, Smith gets another shot in the NFL with the Cowboys, pending reinstatement. More details to come.
When I saw this signing run across the bottom of the screen on one of the sport networks, I had to do a double take. Wait, who, Aldon Smith? Being a Cowboy fan forever, I hope this helps the team. But more than that, I hope this guy really got himself together. Lot of mistakes made, but we all have made some. Good Luck, Aldon.
If the league gives him another chance, I hope it pans out for him. It’s never too late to get your shit together.