Dallas Cowboys Reach Contract Extension With Left Tackle Tyron Smith

The Cowboys drafted left tackle Tyron Smith in 2011. Being a first-round draft pick under the new CBA, the Cowboys had the option for a fifth year, which they exercised. Now, the Cowboys and Smith reached agreement on a huge extension.

Ian Rapoport tweets:

#Cowboys have star LT Tyron Smith under contract for the next 10 years for a total of $109M, per source. Second deal for 2011 1st rounders

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 30, 2014

This is confirmed by Ranier Sabin at the DMN.

Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith signed an eight-year contract extension that will keep him in Dallas through 2023. The total value of the deal is worth north of a $109 million, according to sources.

Before Tuesday’s news dropped, Smith’s 2015 salary was to be fully guaranteed for $10.039 million, which is equal to the 2014 transition tag for offensive linemen. Smith’s base salary in 2014 is $2.079 million.

As always with these deals, we need to see the details before truly analyzing what has transpired. But suffice it to say the Cowboys paid big for Smith's services, but in the process they have locked up their left tackle for the next decade.

The Cowboys still need to get Dez Bryant extended. Surely Stephen Jones must have a plan to make that happen along with this contract extension.

[UPDATE]: Here are some more details...

The contract includes a $10 million signing bonus, $40 million guaranteed and about $32 million guaranteed over the first three years of the deal.

But many thought Smith would pull in well more than about $11 million per season. So why did he pull the trigger on this deal?

Smith found it important that he was not only a Cowboys player for life but also valued how much the club helped him through his family situation, a source said.

[UPDATE]: Official Statement from Tyron Smith

Late last week, the Cowboys approached me with a deal I told my agents I wanted to sign. My agents explained the pros and cons of this deal versus one that may be shorter term and/or higher guarantee. After careful consideration, I decided this long term deal was exactly what I wanted. Over the past three years, the Cowboys organization and Jones Family have helped me through trying times and I felt this was my opportunity to return the gratitude. I am beyond grateful for the Cowboys staff, my teammates, and the fans, and wanted to ensure I was locked in as a "Cowboy for Life". I want to thank everyone for their support and look forward to having a star on my helmet for the remainder of my career.

-Tyron Smith