Cowboys have made the decision to release their linebacker Jaylon Smith
It has been made official by the Dallas Cowboys that they have made the decision to release Jaylon Smith. The linebacker had been with them since 2016. It has been reported that the team owner Jerry Jones directly informed Smith of his release.
However, Smith will still be paid his 2021 salary which amounts to $7.6 million. Smith was guaranteed the salary and because of which it is a legal implication for the Dallas Cowboys to pay him his salary for the season. The decision has been made just days before the week 5 of NFL which will see the Cowboys take on the New York Giants.
Why was Jaylon Smith released by the Cowboys?
Smith’s position as a linebacker was majorly filled with competition in the team. Cowboys signed Micah Parsons and Jabril Cox during this year’s NFL draft and it looked imminent that his position was in danger.
Both new players had been performing well for the team which made an early impression. However, the move came as a surprise because Smith never missed a game when he was fit. Moreover, team owner Jerry Jones was always pleased with Smith.
Jones even helped him nurse back from a devastating knee injury he suffered in 2016. At that time it seemed like the injury would end Smith’s career before it even got started. Smith came back stronger in the 2017 season and also made it known that he was not done yet.
Smith has been left in a tricky situation and it will be hard for him to find a team mid-season after being released just ahead of NFL week 5.
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