Few people, when given a choice, opt to spend a hot late-July Monday lolling around Oxnard, California, unless there is a distinct reason to do so. For NFL agent Joe Panos, his reason for being on the West Coast just might be clear–Panos represents Cowboys lineman Tyler Smith, who happens to be in the fourth year of his contract and could well lock up an extension this summer.
Panos was in Oxnard at training camp on Monday, and was spotted speaking with the son of owner Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones.
Smith was the Cowboys’ first-round pick in 2022, and has already had his fifth-year option picked up by the team, at $21 million for 2026. But it could well behoove the Cowboys to get something done early on Smith.
Tyler Smith’s Agent Has Good History
As NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk pointed out on Monday, Panos has established a good relationship with the Joneses.
The site noted, “In previous years, Panos has reached deals for Cowboys offensive linemen Tyron Smith and La’el Collins while attending camp. Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler, has become the leader of the offensive line after the offseason retirement of right guard Zack Martin.”
Spotrac projects Smith’s contract to be worth four years and $76 million on the open market, though that might wind up being low after the Chiefs’ Trey Smith landed a $94 million contract this offseason.
Cowboys Could Get Deal Done Early
Last week, at the start of training camp, Cowboys beat writer Todd Archer of ESPN wrote that Smith’s contract was the No. 1 thing to watch for at the team’s training camp this summer.
Archer noted that while the Micah Parsons contract would get the most attention, there was a strong chance the Cowboys would make a deal on Smith while the team is in Oxnard.
“Smith recently made an agent change, moving to Joe Panos,” Archer wrote. “In 2014, Panos was Tyron Smith’s agent when he signed his eight-year extension. The Cowboys had exercised Tyron Smith’s fifth-year option in 2015, but signed him in training camp. So there’s a good working history between the club and agent.”
Cowboys Relying on Tyler Smith
Smith’s importance certainly has come into focus in recent days, as the Cowboys’ perceived depth along the offensive line has been challenged by injuries. Fellow veteran Terence Steele is back after an ankle scare, but on Sunday, it was revealed that Rob Jones–who had taken over the starting right guard spot–would be out with a neck injury for as much as three months.
On Monday the team got a scare when left tackle Tyler Guyton injured his knee, initially feared to be an ACL tear. The good news is that Guyton did not tear a ligament, but he will be out for a month, too, a crucial time for a second-year player whose rookie season was also marred by injuries.
There have been calls for Smith to move to tackle to replace Guyton, but that’s unlikely. The fact that he could, if needed, bounce outside reflects his value, though. And the Cowboys will need to pay him for that.
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