Cowboys lock down Tyler Smith: $96M extension, the NFL's highest-paid OL

Tyler Smith Becomes the Highest-Paid Offensive Lineman in the NFL

The Dallas Cowboys have secured their left guard, Tyler Smith, with a contract extension that makes him the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in the NFL. The agreement, according to sources, is for four years and $96 million, including $81.2 million guaranteed. This contract surpasses the one previously established by Trey Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs, who signed for four years and $94 million on July 15th. Tyler Smith was already under contract through 2026 after the Cowboys exercised the fifth-year option for $21.27 million. With this new extension, he will be tied to the team through 2030. Despite the recent departure of Micah Parsons, Smith is the third player to sign an extension with the Cowboys since the start of training camp. Previously, tight end Jake Ferguson signed for four years and up to $52 million, and cornerback DaRon Bland for four years and up to $92 million. Smith, selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, has started in all 47 games he has played. He initially played as a left tackle in his rookie season and then moved to left guard in 2023. He has been selected for the Pro Bowl in the last two seasons. In 2024, he joined Larry Allen, Zack Martin, and Travis Frederick as the only four offensive linemen in team history to earn multiple Pro Bowl appearances in their first three seasons.

I don’t think I’m overrating him. I really think he is.
Brian Schottenheimer

With Martin’s recent retirement, Smith, at only 24 years old, has become the leader of the team’s offensive line, which is projected to start with a rookie (Tyler Booker) and two second-year players (Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe).