Jaylon Smith has been re-signed by the New York Giants. Smith was a former linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys’ division rival, and was a key part of their defense. Smith was drafted by Dallas Cowboys in Round 2 of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played every game from 2018 to 2020 before being replaced by Micah Parsons, and Keanu Naal.
Smith will have a chance to face his former team at MetLife Stadium when Dallas plays the Giants this Monday Night Football.
New York now has a veteran linebacker who is familiar with their system. However, he has only signed to the New York practice team. Smith was cut by Dallas and spent the last season with the Green Bay Packers, then eventually with the Giants. Smith was only able to play 27 snaps in Green Bay’s two games before he was released.
He was then signed to the Giants practice team ahead of a similar matchup against Dallas. Smith, who was a COVID-19 substitute player at the time, was activated from that practice squad and made two starts last season for the Giants.
Smith’s departure from Dallas was not a good decision. Dallas decided to terminate Smith’s contract if Smith didn’t agree. Smith’s 2022 salary of $9.2million would have been guaranteed if he sustained an injury while working for Dallas. Dallas offered Smith the option to drop the injury guarantee in his contract to allow him to stay with the team. Smith declined and Dallas decided to cut him so that he wouldn’t have to take the significant salary loss if an accident occurred.