Aldon Smith’s resurgence has been one of the most extraordinary storylines of this NFL season. On Friday, Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones spoke to 105.3 The Fan in Dallas about the possibility of re-signing Smith after the 2020 season, and he made it clear that Dallas would love to retain the services of the 31-year old pass rusher.
“The idea here is that Aldon is getting better,” Jones declared during the radio spot. He would go on to add, “He’s a bigger man than he was when he played earlier in his career. But that has a lot of positives to it, too. But every time he’s stepping out there, he’s gaining on it, and that’s interesting to be at this stage of his career. But he’s an absolute unique-in-every-way pressure player. We want to maximize our relationship with him. We’ve all got a good one with him. Proud of him. Proud for him. Proud that he’s given himself this chance, and we’re going to help him do it. So, as I’ve said earlier, I’m a fan of his.”
Jones’s sentiment Friday was clear enough, but his actions before the trade deadline had telegraphed these thoughts. The Cowboys, who were seemingly sellers at the deadline, refused to give up Smith to the inquiring Seattle Seahawks.
Coming off a four-year layoff, Smith stepped up in a way few could have predicted and seemed immediately to return to the Pro Bowl form he showed half a decade ago.
Through the first three games of the 2020 season, Smith led the entire league in sacks with four. At that time, the former first-rounder from Missouri looked like, arguably, the best defender on the Cowboys’ roster. Smith’s production has trailed off as the year has progressed, but fatigue is to be expected for a player that hasn’t played more than 10 games in a season since 2013.
31-year old defensive ends in the NFL usually have their best days behind him, but Smith’s isn’t the ordinary 31-year old NFL player. With Smith missing all of 2016 through 2019 for well-documented off-the-field issues, that low career mileage on his legs may now allow him to prolong his resurrection in Dallas. There aren’t many defenders in the league with the physical abilities and upside of Smith, and it would be astute for Jones, McCarthy, and company to sign Smith to a multi-year deal.
The Cowboys have a crucial offseason upcoming, where they have to keep enough cap space available to sign their franchise quarterback, but also continue to augment and upgrade the rest of the roster, especially defensively.
Aldon Smith figures to be a key part of that plan.
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