* **Q: How long did Tyron Smith play in the NFL?
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ARTICLE DETAIL
Tyron Smith Retires as a Dallas Cowboy After Storied 14-Year NFL Career | Bengals Sign QB Logan Woodside | Bengals Roster Update | Bengals Re-sign Quarterback Logan Woodside Ahead of NFL Draft | Brock Purdy's Mega-Deal Dilemma: 49ers Weigh Options as QB Market Soars | Longtime Cowboys LT Tyron Smith To Retire After 14 Seasons In NFL | Travis Hunter: Two-Way Star or Nothing - NFL Prospect Demands Dual Role | Isaiah Simmons Set for Visit with Green Bay Packers | Brandon Stephens Eyes Powerful Partnership Amidst Rams Move | Commanders Bolster QB Room, Agree to Terms with Veteran Josh Johnson | Tyron Smith Retires as a Dallas Cowboy After Storied 14-Year NFL Career | Bengals Sign QB Logan Woodside | Bengals Roster Update | Bengals Re-sign Quarterback Logan Woodside Ahead of NFL Draft | Brock Purdy's Mega-Deal Dilemma: 49ers Weigh Options as QB Market Soars | Longtime Cowboys LT Tyron Smith To Retire After 14 Seasons In NFL | Travis Hunter: Two-Way Star or Nothing - NFL Prospect Demands Dual Role | Isaiah Simmons Set for Visit with Green Bay Packers | Brandon Stephens Eyes Powerful Partnership Amidst Rams Move | Commanders Bolster QB Room, Agree to Terms with Veteran Josh Johnson
Nfl / Dallas Cowboys
Tyron Smith Retires as a Dallas Cowboy After Storied 14-Year NFL Career
After 14 seasons anchoring offensive lines in the NFL, legendary tackle Tyron Smith is hanging up his cleats. While he spent his final season with the New York Jets, Smith will sign a ceremonial one-day contract to officially retire as a me...
Key Insights
- **End of an Era:** Smith, an eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro, is retiring after 14 NFL seasons.
- **Cowboy Farewell:** Drafted 9th overall by Dallas in 2011, Smith played 13 seasons with the Cowboys before a final year with the Jets in 2024. He's signing a one-day contract to retire with Dallas.
- **Decorated Career:** Smith started all 171 regular-season games he played, earning Pro Bowl nods from 2013-2019 and again in 2021. He was also named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team.
- **Elite Protection:** Known for his athleticism and technique, Smith protected quarterbacks like Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers and paved the way for league-leading rushers Ezekiel Elliott and DeMarco Murray.
- **Why this matters:** Smith's retirement marks the departure of another cornerstone from the Cowboys' dominant offensive lines of the 2010s, following guard Zack Martin's retirement earlier this offseason. Both are strong candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when they become eligible in 2030.
In-Depth Analysis
Selected by Dallas as the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Tyron Smith immediately stepped in as a starter, initially at right tackle before permanently moving to the crucial left tackle position in his second season. He quickly established himself as one of the premier blindside protectors in the league.
Smith became a key piece of arguably the NFL's best offensive line during the mid-2010s, alongside fellow first-round draft picks center Travis Frederick (2013) and guard Zack Martin (2014). This trio earned multiple joint Pro Bowl selections and anchored an offense that consistently featured a potent running game. Smith's presence was instrumental in DeMarco Murray (2014) and Ezekiel Elliott (2016, 2018) winning NFL rushing titles.
While exceptionally durable early in his career (missing just one game in his first five seasons), injuries began to mount later on. Smith battled knee, neck, back, hamstring, and ankle issues, causing him to miss significant time, including nearly all of the 2020 season (neck surgery) and 13 games in 2022 (hamstring surgery). After restructuring his contract for the 2023 season with Dallas, he signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets for 2024, starting 10 games before a neck injury landed him on injured reserve, ultimately ending his season and career.
Despite the late-career injuries, Smith's peak performance ranks him among the best tackles of his generation, recognized officially by his selection to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team. His retirement, coupled with Zack Martin's, signifies a major transition for the Cowboys' offensive line identity.
FAQ
* **Q: Which teams did Tyron Smith play for?
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* **Q: Why is he retiring as a Cowboy?
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* **Q: What are Tyron Smith's Hall of Fame chances?
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Takeaways
- **Cowboys Transition:** Dallas loses another iconic offensive lineman, continuing a significant shift for the team's front five.
- **Legacy Cemented:** Smith retires as one of the most dominant offensive tackles of the 2010s, whose peak play warrants serious Hall of Fame consideration.
- **Impact Player:** Remember his role not just in pass protection, but in enabling multiple Cowboys running backs to lead the league in rushing yards during his tenure.
Discussion
Tyron Smith's career is officially complete. Do you think he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2030? Share your favorite memories of his time in Dallas!
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Sources
Source 1: Longtime star LT Smith to retire as a Cowboy (ESPN) target="_blank"
Source 2: Tyron Smith will retire as a member of the Cowboys (NBC Sports) target="_blank"
Source 3: 8-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith to retire with Cowboys (DallasCowboys.com) target="_blank"
Disclaimer
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