In a move that could pay huge dividends for the Eagles’ biggest rival, Aldon Smith is returning to the NFL after signing a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys per Jay Glazer.
Breaking: The #dallascowboys have signed former Pro Bowl LB/DE Aldon Smith to a one-year, marking the end of a 4-year absence. Clean and sober now, incredible how much he’s turned his life around. @NFLonFOX @dallascowboys
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 2, 2020
Many around the NFL are wondering if this is an April Fool’s joke after Smith spent the past four years embattled in off the field issues.
Smith will first need to be reinstated by the league, but it appears the Cowboys are confident that this situation will develop.
Smith was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
A talented hybrid edge-rusher out of Missouri, Smith finished half a sack shy of tying the all-time rookie sack record held by Jevon Kearse despite not starting a single game in his rookie season.
Smith would go on to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year by Pro Football Writers of America and finished second to Von Miller for the Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Things would literally spiral out of control from there, as Smith battled alcoholism and problems in his personal life that would eventually see him out the league for four years.
He’ll now look to join DeMarcus Lawrence and a talented Cowboys pass rush that could get back Randy Gregory as well.