Despite warnings from fans, the Dallas Cowboys reunited with running back Ezekiel Elliott last offseason after they failed to take a RB in the NFL Draft. The reunion predictably went up in flames, as Elliott was one of the league's most inefficient runners and proved to be a distraction off the field.
An Amari Cooper reunion was reportedly in the works before the front office traded for Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. Short of re-signing linebacker Eric Kendricks or cornerback Stephon Gilmore, it doesn't seem Dallas will reunite with any former players.
Incredibly, one former Cowboy has successfully completed an NFL comeback after sitting out the entire 2024 season. Former linebacker Jaylon Smith has agreed to a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders after a weekend tryout at rookie minicamp, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Former Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith resurfaces in NFL after Raiders deal
The Cowboys took a chance on Smith in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft after he tore up his knee in his final game for Notre Dame.
Smith rewarded Dallas' faith with a Pro Bowl nod in 2019. Despite warnings from fans (it feels like we say that a lot), the front office handed Smith a five-year, $64 million extension that offseason.
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As a three-down linebacker, Smith padded the stat sheet, but he was far from consistent during his Cowboys tenure.
The regression really kicked in during the 2020 campaign and Smith was released in October of 2021. It was an obvious move, even though Smith compiled a career-high 154 tackles to go with five tackles for loss that season. He often looked lost filling gaps against the run and was a huge liability in coverage.
All of that said, it is cool to see Smith get another shot in the league. He spent the 2021 and '22 seasons with the Giants, tallying 107 tackles and two sacks in 17 games (13 starts). He has since bounced around three separate practice squads, but only had one regular season appearance to show for it with the Raiders in 2023.
We'll see what comes of his Raiders return, but Cowboys fans will be hoping he carves out a role for himself in Pete Carroll's defense.