The Dallas Cowboys said their official goodbye to long-time starting left tackle Tyron Smith on Tuesday following 13 seasons with the team. The Cowboys posted a tribute video to thank the tackle for his many, many years of elite play as he makes the move to the New York Jets.
Drafted No. 9 overall by Dallas in the 2011 NFL Draft out of USC, Smith has only ever played for one NFL team. During his 13-year stint with the Cowboys, he protected quarterbacks like Tony Romo, Kellen Moore, Matt Cassell, Dak Prescott, Andy Dalton and Cooper Rush, among others.
Smith penned a heartfelt message of his own to Cowboys nation this week before signing his new one-year deal that’s worth up to a maximum of $20 million.
Smith: ‘Part of my heart will forever be left in Texas’
“Cowboy Nation, Humbly, I don’t even know where to begin… Thirteen years sure is a long time to sum up in one short letter to thousands of people who have made my time in Dallas so memorable. It’s been a long and wild ride filled with plenty of ups and downs but Cowboy Nation, you all have been there through it all,” Smith wrote.
“To the Jones family, thank for the amazing opportunity to play for the Cowboys and the life changing experience that my family and I will forever be grateful for,” Smith continued. “I will never forget the feeling of running out of the tunnel at AT&T Stadium or the roar of the crowd after a big play.
“Cowboy Nation – thank you for everything. While I’m excited for this next chapter of my football career, part of my heart will forever be left in Texas. Until we meet again…”
Despite playing in just 13 games this season for Dallas, the former first-round draft pick was reliable when he started as evidenced by his first All-Pro selection since the 2016 season. His second-team selection gives him five All-Pro honors in his 13-year career.
Head coach Mike McCarthy called Smith’s performance this season his best since he took over the team in 2020. With him at left tackle, the Cowboys offensive line gave up 39 sacks this season on QB Dak Prescott.
With the Jets, Smith will be protecting Aaron Rodgers who is coming off an Achilles injury that forced him to miss the 2023 season. The veteran is excited for a chance to start something new.
“I feel like it’s an amazing new start,” Smith told the team’s website this week. “What’s being built here is amazing. It’s built to win.”
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