The Cowboys shocked the NFL world on Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year deal with edge rusher Aldon Smith, who hasn’t played in the league since November 2015. As expected, Smith’s pact doesn’t contain any guaranteed money, but Todd Archer of ESPN.com (Twitter links) has outlined the parameters of Smith’s contract, which could potentially net the 30-year-old $4MM.
In order to earn any money whatsoever, Smith must obviously be reinstated by the NFL. The former first-round pick applied for reinstatement last month, and if/when the league allows him to play, Smith will collect $90K from Dallas, per Archer. He’ll then collect a series of bonuses as follows:
- 30 days after reinstatement: $50K
- Start of training camp: $100K
- After two preseason games: $100K
- End of preseason: $100K
Clearly, the NFL’s training camp and preseason schedule could possibly altered due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But if the league’s scheduled goes according to plan, Smith will have earned $440K by the conclusion of the preseason. If the Cowboys released him at that point, they’d be on the hook for that total.
Once the regular season begins, Smith’s contract will follow a slightly more typical structure, accordibng to Archer:
- Base salary: $910K
- $40,625K in per-game roster bonuses, totaling $650K for the season
- Sack incentives up to $2MM
- Eight sacks: $500K
- 10 sacks: $1MM
- 12 sacks: $1.5MM
- 14 sacks: $2MM
Because Smith didn’t play in the NFL in 2019, those incentives are considered “not likely to be earned” and thus do not count against the Cowboys’ salary cap. Smith would likely have to play at something close to an All-Pro level in order to reach every incentive, but he did meet or exceed 14 sacks in each of his first two NFL campaigns.
Chocolate cake. A la Blake!!
This signing reeks of desperation and despair. First they sign Gregory, another fine upstanding citizen who has been out of football for years, and is also on his 100th ‘last’ chance, now they go after Smith who along with all time attributes of Gregory ,he also hasn’t played in the league going on 5 years!
Now before you can say, ‘it’s a low risk contract’, my point is what are you selling to your fan base? Win at any cost? If this was the1st time I would say ok, but do we all remember the signing of, not once but twice of Gregg Hardy?
Jerry, you have much to much class for this.
Wait… Jerry Jones has class???
Dude get off your high horse. Nothing wrong with signing this guy to a low risk deal. The CBA is now changed now clearing the way for Smith and Gregory to return. If they can’t hack it anymore then they’re gone. Dallas is probaly going to draft a DE in the draft anyway. These guys are going to remember who gave them a chance and play as hard as they can
You spelled too wrong, you dummy
Should he even be allowed back into the league? Then again, the NFL seemingly doesn’t do a whole hellava lot in terms of those who have a laundry list of legal issues
As long as they’re violence issues, sure thing they’re welcome back. Don’t smoke a joint tho.
Jerry Jones loves to sign these type of players. Randy Gregory, David Irving, Greg Hardy etc. The one player he refused to take a chance on was Randy Moss it probably still HAUNTS him to this day
Hey hey. It wouldn’t be a Cowboys story without mlbnyyfan chiming in …
I know you’re “desperate” because your team was 4-12 last year (you really wish they played to their talent and were 3-13, right? Better draft choice and all). However, if you keep coming with your “alternative facts”, “allow me to retort”.
The Giants love to sign these types of players:
Jeremiah Parker arrested for manslaughter and child abuse in the shaking death of his girlfriends 4 yr old son (serving 10 years in prison). Keith Hamilton arrested for cocaine and pot possession. David Tyree arrested for having a half pound of pot with intent to distribute. Adrian Awasom, Joe Burnett, David Diehl, and Kareem McKenzie arrested for DUI. Plaxico Buress accidentally shot himself in the thigh at a NYC nightclub and sentenced to 2 years in prison. Josh Brown, Michael Bowie, and Kam Moore arrested for domestic violence. Not to mention police finding a body in Janoris Jenkins’ house.
All of those saintly Giants arrested in the last ten years. Let’s not forget one of the all time Giant “greats” Lawrence Taylor, who was arrested about a dozen times. Arrested for buying crack cocaine from an undercover officer, arrested for DUI, arrested for another drug charge, plead guilty to filing a false tax return, arrested for being a deadbeat parent/ child support, and the big winner, arrested for third degree rape re having sex with a 16 year old prostitute.
Thanks for playing.
Might need to have the team reunion at
Rahway State Penitentiary
Well played. You could do this with every NFL team. That’s why it’s ridiculous when people act like these are Cowboys specific. It happened multiple times with Antonio Brown last year and Josh Gordon.
“those incentives are considered “not likely to be earned”
He could get two cracks at that stellar Redskin OL, two cracks at the Giants, plus a shot at the Browns and Bengals OL so those incentives may not be as out of reach as some believe.
Actually I wished my Giants were 2-14 with a chance for Chase Young. They should of tanked more
They didn’t tank. They are just not a good Fb team. There’s a difference.
Ha!
you actually need to draft a QB
14 sacks ? Eagles , Giants and redskins all twice . It’s possible
All else fails and he doesn’t make it he could be Jerra’s personal nose picker so Jerra wouldn’t have to do it by himself on NATIONAL TV
this is another brainier as far as a football move, very little risk, potential high reward….however on a PR standpoint it can be a major distraction…think of having Gregory and smith both reinstated, very likely with new CBS agreement. now what we need to do in this order with enough cap space left is:
1. Sign everson Griffin
2. sign Ryan Logan
3. trade for Jamal Adam’s
4. sign clay Matthew’s
5. sign dez Bryant
6. sign marques king
7. draft best player available