Dallas Cowboys Star Gets Honest on Contract Situation
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As the Dallas Cowboys are expected to eventually work out a new contract with the veteran star, Micah Parsons, many are wondering whether the organization will soon have to discuss an extension with the star offensive lineman, Tyler Smith.
On Sunday, most of the Cowboys' 2025 roster reported to California for training camp. Smith was among the group, and addressed reporters ahead of the team's first practice.
Smith was asked about his current contract situation, which doesn't seem to have any steam on extension talks just yet. Whether he's searching for an early extension or not, Smith makes it clear that the ball isn't in his court at this time.
"That's not up to me," the star lineman told reporters.
"I can only control what I can control, and that's coming in and working."
Cowboys LG Tyler Smith when asked if he'd like to get contract talks started: 'That's not up to me. I can only control what I can control, and that's coming in and working.' pic.twitter.com/SaN4IFgO5o — Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 20, 2025
Smith, a Texas native, attended Tulsa for his college run from 2019 to 2021. Entering the 2022 NFL Draft, Smith was a projected first-round pick. The Cowboys made those predictions a reality.
With the 24th overall pick, the Cowboys called on Smith to become a key member of the offensive front. From the jump, Smith was a full-time starter for Dallas, appearing in 17 games, playing 99 percent of the team's offensive snaps.
Tyler Smith #73 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to block during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium on December 9, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Tyler Smith #73 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to block during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium on December 9, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.Although he dealt with some setbacks during year two, Smith still appeared in 14 games, collecting 941 snaps of action, which accounted for 97 percent of the Cowboys' offensive snaps when he was healthy.
Last year, Smith started the 16 games he played. For the second time in his career, he appeared in over 1,000 snaps. He was whistled for just one holding call and one false start throughout the entire season, which is a career-high for the third-year veteran.
At this stage in his career, Smith is a two-time Pro Bowler. He was named Second-Team All-Pro during the 2023 NFL season.
If the Cowboys aren't going to be willing to pay Smith, some other team surely will. This year, Smith will have a base salary of $2.5 million, carrying a cap hit of $4.6 million. There is a team option available for Dallas in 2026, but an established player like Smith might want long-term security at this stage of his career.
The Cowboys have already proven they aren't going to rush to get deals done. Currently, the star pass rusher Micah Parsons is in a position where he wanted an extension early on, but he's still waiting. Although Parsons was viewed as a potential holdout candidate ahead of training camp this season, the veteran pass rusher is reportedly making his way to camp this upcoming week.
Dallas doesn't have any high-profile holdouts this year. However, they have multiple players to keep an eye on as the stars typically want to get paid earlier.
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