Cowboys sign LB Jaylon Smith to contract extension

With running back Ezekiel Elliott, quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver Amari Cooper wanting to negotiate new contracts, the Dallas Cowboys bypassed their offensive triplets and agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $64 million on Tuesday with linebacker Jaylon Smith. The 6-foot-2, 248-pound middle linebacker, who was set to be a restricted free agent after the season, is regarded as a key part of the future of the Cowboys defense. Of the $64 million, $35.5 million is guaranteed.

The extension rewards Smith for an almost four-year-long journey recovering from a devastating knee injury. While playing for Notre Dame, Smith was considered a lock to be selected in the top five of the 2016 NFL Draft. But, in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State, he tore his left ACL and suffered nerve damage to the knee. He had surgery to reconstruct the knee but fell to the second round of the draft and was selected 34th overall by the Cowboys.

Smith sat out the entire 2016 season while rehabbing the injury but returned in 2017 and played in all 16 games, making six starts. He made 81 tackles that season, including 50 unassisted.

Smith had a breakthrough year in 2018, starting all 16 games at middle linebacker and finishing second on the team in tackles behind only Leighton Vander Esch. Smith also had four sacks and two forced fumbles.

Instead of risking injury again the season before becoming a restricted free agent, Smith chose the safer option of signing an extension.

When asked about his comeback on Aug. 14, Smith said, "It's just the beginning, just the beginning. I'm never satisfied."

He added, "[The injury] was something that was severe, that no one will ever forget. But like I said, everyone is dealt their own hand; it's all about how you respond. The only thing that matters is what you do now. For me, I've been able to come back and be strong. Availability is everything. Going on my fourth year in the league, third year playing, I've been able to play every game. It has been a blessing."

Coach Jason Garrett was effusive in his praise for Smith.

"When you watched him as a college player it was like, wow," Garrett said on Aug. 14. "It leaped off the tape like, 'Who is this guy? That's the guy who hurt his knee? We've got to investigate that whole thing.' And we did, and we're really happy that we made the decision that we did. I just think as much as anything else it's a great story how far he's come to come back and play, and I think that shows up every day in how he approaches it. I think he really appreciates this opportunity to be a pro football player for the Dallas Cowboys. And he brings it. He brings it every day."