BREAKING: Cowboys Release LB Jaylon Smith

Now this is a stunner.

The Dallas Cowboys have released LB Jaylon Smith, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

In-season surprise: Cowboys released LB Jaylon Smith, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2021

What makes this move so much more of a surprise is the fact that the Cowboys still owe Smith $7.2 million for this season:

Cowboys still owe LB Jaylon Smith $7.2 million for this season. https://t.co/gaL9WDGDTk

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2021

The Dallas Cowboys selected Smith with the No. 34 pick (2nd round) in the 2016 NFL Draft. He played five seasons with eh team tallying 516 career tackles, 9 sacks, six forced fumbles and two interceptions. Smith was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2019.

The move to release Smith will leave $16.6 million of dead cap for the Cowboys:

Wow. Jaylon Smith had 5 years, $50.75M left on his contract.

His release leaves behind $16.6M of dead cap to the #Cowboys

2021: $9.8M ($7.2M cash)
2022: $6.8M https://t.co/rWEOHdkOS4

— Spotrac (@spotrac) October 6, 2021