Former Dallas, Green Bay linebacker Jaylon Smith signs with New York Giants

The New York Giants have re-signed a veteran linebacker who used to be a feature of the division rival Dallas Cowboys defense, Jaylon Smith. Smith was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and started every game for Dallas from 2018-2020 before eventually being cut by the team after seeing his role diminish due to the emergence of Micah Parsons and Keanu Neal.

Dallas will travel to MetLife Stadium to play the Giants on Monday Night Football this week, giving Smith a possible chance to show out against his former team.

Jaylon Smith signs with the Giants

The pickup gives New York a veteran linebacker with experience in their system, although he has currently only signed to the New York practice squad. Smith spent last season with the Green Bay Packers and eventually the Giants after being cut by Dallas. His time in Green Bay was brief, playing just 27 snaps in two games before being released.

From there, he was signed to the Giants practice squad ahead of a matchup with Dallas, similar to this season. Smith was activated from the practice squad as a COVID-19 replacement player at that time, and made two starts for the Giants last season.

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The circumstances surrounding Smith’s departure from Dallas were not ideal at the time, as Dallas made the decision to cut him if he didn’t agree to re-work his contract. If Smith suffered an injury with Dallas, his 2022 salary of $9.2 million would have been guaranteed. Dallas offered Smith a choice to drop the injury guarantee from his contract in order to remain with the team, which he declined, and Dallas made the decision to cut him to avoid owing the major salary hit if an injury occurred.