Jaylon Smith Wants To Stay With Cowboys

While the Cowboys are struggling to sign Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, and Amari Cooper to contract extensions, it appears that one important piece is open to taking a hometown discount. Star linebacker Jaylon Smith loves being a Dallas Cowboy. Smith doesn’t just want to stay with the Cowboys. He sounds open to taking a discount.

The Athletic’s Jon Machota recently interviewed Smith: Here’s what he had to say:

“I want to be a Cowboy. I want to be a Cowboy for the rest of my life,” Smith said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota (on Twitter). “Understanding what they’ve done for me, taking a chance, taking a risk. Now they’re getting the return on their investment. It’s a beautiful thing to be a Dallas Cowboy.”

Smith will be a restricted free agent in 2020. He would have been unrestricted but spent a year on Non-Football Injury list. Smith destroyed his knee in the Notre Dame Bowl game prior to the 2016 NFL Draft. Dallas took a risk drafting Smith in the 2nd round. We didn’t know if he would ever play again. That risk couldn’t have panned out any better. Dallas has the best young linebacking duo in the NFL. Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith are superstars.

Dallas Cowboys 2019 NFL Training Camp Preview

I would expect Dallas to place a 2nd round tender on Smith. I would also expect teams to bid on him. Hell, I’d give up a 2nd round pick to sign him long term. It might come down to whether Dallas is willing to match an offer sheet. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith is the 6th best linebacker in the sport. Vander Esch is 4th. Dallas has serious contract negotiations coming. The media seems to be forgetting about La’el Collins and Byron Jones who also need extensions. Luckily, it appears Smith is willing to take less because of the Draft day risk Dallas took on him.