Contract details released for Cowboys OT Tyron Smith following restructure

The Dallas Cowboys followed through on a contract restructure this week for long-time tackle Tyron Smith.

The veteran agreed to a very team-friendly deal that is laden with incentives. Originally, the former All-Pro left tackle had a $17.6 million cap hit coming for the 2023 season for his $13.6 million salary. Now, Smith has the opportunity to make even more money – but only if he plays a lot.

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Smith agreed to a $3 million signing bonus and a $3 million base salary that the team fully guaranteed. He could get up to $9 million more via playing time incentives and $2 million additionally as a playoff incentive. The contract restructuring clears $9.6 million in cap space for Dallas in 2023.

For a 12th-year veteran who’s missed significant time over the last few seasons, the cap hit made him a potential casualty this offseason if the two sides couldn’t agree to terms.

Despite the high price tag, the veteran OL showed his value when Dallas need it most in 2022. After returning from a preseason injury, Smith slotted in at right tackle for the first time in more than a decade due to the injury to Terence Steele. After the season, the tackle underwent minor surgery on his knee.

The former first-round draft pick out of USC signed an eight-year contract extension worth $97.6 million in 2015. He will be an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2024 season.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.

There are 722 players slated to become free agents in 2023, including 20 unrestricted free agents for Dallas.