Tyron Smith makes confession that makes Cowboys look even worse after free agency blunder

In a quiet and controversial start to free agency, letting Tyron Smith walk out the door has been the worst move the Dallas Cowboys have made this March. 

In his first media availability as a member of the New York Jets, Smith provided some insight that left the Cowboys' front office looking even worse than last week when the news originally broke. 

Smith explained how his free agency decision came down to only two teams: The Cowboys and the Jets. And it didn't take long for him to figure out which one it would be. 

"For the way things were looking in Dallas, I knew it was most likely going to be the Jets," Smith told reporters on Thursday over a video conference. "Honestly, I got excited for a new chapter in my life."

In other words, despite Smith being perceived as the top available offensive tackle in the market the bidding war for the 2023 second-team All-Pro came down to just two teams. The Cowboys didn't have to beat out multiple teams but rather the Jets alone, which is a testament to how relatively easy it could've been to keep the franchise legend.

His deal reflects the same truth. Before free agency began, A to Z Sports projected Smith to get $10.5 million guaranteed in 2023 while PFF's projection came in at $10 million. Smith instead signed for only $6.5 million guaranteed with the chance to make an addition $13.5 million through incentives, most of which are based on playing time.

"(The deal) speaks for what's been happening for the past couple of years," Smith added. "Honestly, I think it's a fair deal. Now I just got to go out there and prove that I can continue to play at the high level that they expect me to." 

Smith's words heavily point toward his willingness to sign an incentive-heavy deal, which he did with the Cowboys last year. Yet the Cowboys preferred to not make such a deal and instead head into the 2024 NFL Draft with multiple question marks at the offensive line.

It's difficult to evaluate this decision in a positive light when understanding signing Smith wouldn't have broken neither the salary cap nor the bank account. The Cowboys simply refused to pay the money at a crucial position and to bet on having a Hall of Fame-caliber player protecting Dak Prescott's blindside for as long as possible.