Tyron Smith’s 13-year relationship with the Cowboys comes to an official end.

The New York Jets and former Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith reached a deal on Friday night, according to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Smith will be a key component of the team’s offensive line makeover.

Smith is expected to sign a one-year contract that, with incentives, could be worth as much as $20 million. It took some time to get the base value.

After recovering from surgery on his Achilles tendon, quarterback Aaron Rodgers will see a different lineup. The Jets signed three starters in five days: Smith, right tackle Morgan Moses, and left guard John Simpson.

Last season, the Jets’ offensive line was among the worst in the NFL; they allowed 64 sacks, which was 28th worst in the league. Their offensive line, crippled by inefficiency and injury, began 13 different combinations. With the line improved, the Jets won’t feel pressured to select a tackle when they select 10th overall in the draft.

Smith’s addition carries some risk. Despite being one of the most decorated linemen in the game, there is a concern about his durability. Over the previous four seasons, he has missed 37 games.

The days of Leighton Vander Esch in Dallas are gone.

Wide receiver and seasoned linebacker Michael Gallup is being released by the Cowboys, according to reports from Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network Insiders. The organization later announced that Gallup is being let go with a post-June 1 designation and that Vander Esch was released due to a failed physical designation.

The Cowboys selected Vander Esch with the 19th overall pick in the 2018 draft, launching a career with the formidable linebacker who immediately demonstrated his worth by being selected to the Pro Bowl and being named to the second team of the All-Pro team. Prior to the following season, Jaylon Smith signed an extension, giving Dallas what seemed to be a formidable linebacking combo for years to come.

Dallas is trying to create space for additions by clearing cap space in the interim after mainly remaining unchanged during the first week of free agency. By cutting Gallup before the fifth day of the new league year, the Cowboys will avoid fully guaranteeing his contract for 2024 and saving almost $2.1 million.

Similar to Vander Esch, Gallup’s narrative is one of potential dashed by misfortune. After amassing over 2,000 receiving yards between 2019 and 2020, Gallup was on the verge of a big paycheck until he sustained an ACL tear in 2021, which limited his earning potential. Even so, he inked a five-year, $57.4 million contract with Dallas, but he hasn’t been able to replicate the skills that previously made him a high-level player.

Things remain the same more often than they change.

Fans of the Dallas Cowboys shouldn’t be surprised that the franchise prefers to be thrifty when it comes to free agency. This frugal mindset has essentially been in place since the well-known Brandon Carr contract was signed in 2012. Carr had a respectable tenure with the Cowboys, but they have avoided taking on large contracts in free agency.

Free agency in 2024 has proven to be no different. Dallas is approaching cautiously, waiting for the first wave to pass before searching for deals. Eric Kendricks, the linebacker, was one of the deals they pursued. His contract is public knowledge, and it is not a very costly arrangement as one might anticipate.

Kendricks arrived in Dallas for a number of fascinating reasons.

On Monday, veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks reached an agreement to sign a contract with the 49ers. However, he had second thoughts a few days later and decided to sign with the Cowboys in order to rejoin old coach Mike Zimmer.

Furthermore, Kendricks stated that he anticipates playing middle linebacker with the Cowboys. Zimmer’s decision to leave the 49ers and sign with the Cowboys was influenced by the players on the defense as well as other factors.

After agreeing to a one-year contract on Friday, Kendrick stated, “I felt like it was a really hard decision.” “They have a great program there and are a great organization, the 49ers.” In the end, I just wanted to be able to wager on myself and play MIKE. In particular, I still have a lot to prove, especially at this stage of my career. I’m moving and feeling fantastic. I was unable to pass up the chance to play Mike with this defense and the people that make up this team. I’m overjoyed with this choice.

Kendricks played for the Chargers last season, but he spent the previous eight under Zimmer, the head coach of Minnesota from 2014 to 21.

“I learned so much football with Zimm—both the quantity and the quality of detail,” Kendricks remarked. I feel that I will never take that for granted, which is why I am currently back with him. It’s all starting to come together just by being at the facility today. Since I obviously grew up playing this sport, I’m quite enthusiastic to play. I enjoy playing center linebacker. I’m glad I can once more participate in Coach ZImm’s system. It seemed appropriate.