The Dallas Cowboys have one of the NFL's premier blindside protectors under contract for the next decade.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports, via sources informed of the deal, the Cowboys have reached agreement with Tyron Smith on an eight-year, $98-million contract.
Since Smith had two years left on his rookie deal, he's now tethered to Dallas for the next 10 years at $109 million overall, a source tells Rapoport. Smith got a $10 million signing bonus and $40 million guaranteed.
It's the richest contract for a non-quarterback in franchise history. For comparison's sake, Joe Thomas -- now a four-time first-team All-Pro -- signed an eight-year, $92-million contract with the Browns back in 2011.
Still just 23 years old, Smith is coming off the first of what should be a long string of Pro Bowl appearances.
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft is already viewed as the prototypical left tackle, drawing comparisons to Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz for the elite athleticism, balance and quick feet required neutralize the NFL's premier speed rushers.
"He's a freak athlete, and strong," one NFC defensive coach recently told ESPN.com's Field Yates. "He has great recovery and a great punch."
Smith has yet to replicate the heights of Munoz's career, when Bengals coaches simply "erased" the opposing team's top pass rusher in their game plans. Of all left tackles in today's NFL, though, Smith has the best chance of reaching that level of dominance.
For all of the Cowboys' woes on the defensive side of the ball, Smith is poised to anchor one of the game's dominant offensive lines for the foreseeable future.
The latest Around The League Podcast talks about the good and bad out of Cowboys camp, then plays the "What's More Likely?" game.
