NFL reporter weighs chances of Jaylon Smith joining the Eagles
In a surprise move to many, yesterday the Dallas Cowboys parted ways with linebackers Jaylon Smith. Now that the former Pro Bowler is on the market, the question is where will he sign. One destination that came up was the Cowboys NFC East rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Smith to the Eagles?
Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network said many people have asked about the likelihood of the former Notre Dame standout heading to the Eagles.
“That would surprise me at this point.”
It’s unclear why the Eagles would not want to even attempt to bring in the former Cowboys linebacker. Smith is a versatile linebacker with sideline to sideline abilities, and Philadelphia has struggled in the run and pass game at the linebacker position.
In the Eagles’ loss to the Cowboys in their Week 3 Monday night matchup, Dallas used Smith throughout the game as a spy for quarterback Jalen Hurts. In that game, he had four tackles, all of which were solo. On the season, he has a total of 18 tackles, 13 are solo, and the other five are assisted.
In comparison to the Eagles’ current starters, only strong/sam linebacker Genard Avery has fewer tackles on the season with 14 in total. Linebackers Eric Wilson and Alex Singleton are at 34 and 38 total on the season, and both of them have played more snaps than Smith. Smith has played on 148 of the Cowboys’ 264 defensive snaps. Meanwhile, they both have over 200 defensive snaps for Philadelphia.
Confusing move by Dallas
For The Cowboys, this move certainly surprised the football world, due to the amount of money still owed to Smith on his contract. Smith’s contract still has five years and $50.75 million left on his deal. By releasing Smith, the Cowboys gain $16.6 million in dead cap.
In the current 2021 season, this amount is $9.8 million, $7.2 million of which is cash. In 2022, the dead cap hit will be $6.8 million.
The move will save the Cowboys nothing this season, but it does free up about $5 million in cap space for the 2022 season.
As Smith was entering his fifth year in the NFL, he is eligible to sign with another team immediately and does not need to go through the waiver wire.
Smith concludes his time in Dallas with 516 combined tackles, totaling at least 120 in each of the last three years; 317 tackles were solo, nine sacks, six forced fumbles, five recovered, two interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.
Garafolo would be surprised if the Eagles landed Smith, but it would be a surprise to everyone else if they decide not to try, especially if their rival is fitting the bill.