Cowboys' Tyler Smith changes agents

Smith is now a client of Athletes First, per an agency announcement. Joe Panos and Todd France now represent the 24-year-old, who as expected had his fifth-year option picked up this spring. That means Smith is on the books through 2026, giving team and player plenty of time to negotiate a long-term pact.

For now, Micah Parsons represents priority No. 1 for Dallas since he is entering his option season. Making the two-time All-Pro the league’s highest-paid defender may be necessary to finalize an agreement on that front, but in any case Smith is a logical target for a lucrative pact of his own. The Tulsa product handled blindside duties as a rookie out of necessity, but since then he has primarily been used as planned at guard. Smith has missed three total games during that span, but he has collected a Pro Bowl nod each time.

Having posted top-15 PFF grades amongst guards in 2023 and ’24, Smith’s performance and age could set him up for a notable payday. As things stand, he is set to earn $21.27MM in 2026. That figure outpaces the AAV of Landon Dickerson‘s Eagles pact, the most lucrative multi-year deal in the league for guards (Trey Smith is currently scheduled to earn more on his Chiefs franchise tag this year, but an extension would change that). Having Smith in place at a $21.27MM cap charge would be challenging for Dallas, of course, creating added incentive for a long-term accord.

Dallas has invested considerable draft capital up front in recent years. The Cowboys used their top choice in 2024 on left tackle Tyler Guyton, and they went with guard Tyler Booker at No. 12 last month. Those two are in place to handle starting roles for years to come if things go according to plan, and Smith will join them as a key figure up front. Strong O-line play will be critical if Dallas is to bounce back from an underwhelming 2024 showing this year.

In addition to Smith, Athletes First represents Parsons along with quarterback Dak Prescott and recent trade acquisition George Pickens. Of that group, only Prescott’s future beyond 2026 is assured, so negotiations with those clients will be interesting to monitor over the coming weeks and months.