The Dallas Cowboys made defensive tackle Mazi Smith a healthy scratch for Week 9. From a performance standpoint, or lack thereof, this move hardly shocked fans and may have even been pegged as long overdue. However, from an organizational perspective, his removal from the lineup effectively (and unceremoniously) marks the end of an era.
Recent intel suggests Smith being inactive for the Cowboys' Monday Night Football clash with the Arizona Cardinals is ostensibly more than just a one-game benching. Those around the league reportedly considered him "as a player available" ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Following two-plus wildly disappointing campaigns, the Cowboys are seemingly done holding out hope for Smith, their 2023 first-round pick. Keeping him out against the Cardinals effectively confirms his time in Dallas is running short.
Cowboys mercilessly end Mazi Smith experiment with healthy scratch vs. Cardinals
Smith has barely been deployed when on the Cowboys' gameday roster in 2025 after appearing in and starting all games last year. In other words, Dallas gave him a chance to turn things around as a sophomore in the pros, but wasn't impressed. He's logged just 89 defensive snaps across five contests this season -- and has presumably taken his final rep with the squad.
Frankly, it's surprising Smith made it this far with the Cowboys. Despite his lofty draft pedigree, signs have pointed to Dallas being ready to cut its losses and move on from the former Michigan standout for months. He was discussed as a cut candidate this past offseason, which should tell you what the franchise thinks about him.
Whether the Cowboys can find someone to take Smith off their hands remains to be seen. Nothing he's shown on the field merits giving up resources; acquiring him would be a bet on his potential. Nevertheless, one man's trash is another's treasure, and someone might be willing to take a flier on the idea of the 25-year-old.
With an intriguing combination of upside, age, and cost-friendly team control, Smith's a low-risk swing with a plausible reward. He's still playing under his rookie contract and is signed through 2026, excluding a club option for 2027.