Ex-Cowboys pass rusher Aldon Smith agrees to terms with Seahawks ahead of 2021 NFL Draft

Aldon Smith is on the shift in 2021, agreeing to terms with the Seattle Seahawks on a a single-12 months offer, a source confirms to CBS Sporting activities. In the midst of being reinstated from an indefinite suspension in 2020, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys on a a single-12 months offer that was considered as a show-it offer each on and off of the field. He went on to burst out of the gate with four sacks in his 1st four online games, despite owning not taken an NFL snap since 2015, major to each he and the Cowboys sharing a mutual interest in preserving the band jointly. 

He then cooled significantly to end the 12 months with 5 sacks in all, and the dismissal of defensive line coach Jim Tomsula — his longtime mentor — helped to derail what was a promising union in Dallas. The momentum towards a possible re-signing took a u-convert at that position, and freshly-hired defensive coordinator Dan Quinn also experienced other programs, going on to increase Tarell Basham to his new-glance protection this offseason. Smith and Basham were not wildly various in how they generated previous season, and sources marked the signing as a sturdy indicator Smith and the Cowboys would aspect methods. With that owning now been confirmed precise, the Seahawks ultimately get their palms on Smith, owning tried using to acquire him by way of trade in 2020. 

The Cowboys waved off their try(s), having said that, rather opting to keep on to him until finally his agreement expired in January. Ever affected person and however in will need of aid with their go rush, standard supervisor John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll circled back again and satisfied with Smith straight as an unrestricted no cost agent, the meeting ending in a handshake. The addition of Smith brings together with the re-signing of Carlos Dunlap to make issues a bit significantly less stress filled about the team’s beleaguered go rush heading into this year’s NFL Draft, but it won’t delete the will need fully.

On top of that, the timing of when Smith signs his offer in Seattle will also be some thing to look at, considering there is a unique league deadline looming just ahead. If the Seahawks officially ink Smith prior to the 1st 7 days in Could, he’ll rely in opposition to their compensatory pick method for 2022, presuming the sizing of the offer qualifies financially. If they wait around until finally right after the draft to increase him to the books, he will not likely, which also indicates the Cowboys will not likely gain from the signing by getting a comp pick of their extremely have. This is crucial to observe for two front places of work who haven’t played pleasant in current seasons — e.g., Earl Thomas — and that trend could continue below. 

And, again, the offer would have to financially qualify for the comp pick method, even if it’s signed promptly. But even though that organizational chess match performs out, the Seahawks prepared by themselves to welcome still another go rusher who’ll be part of them soon right after owning suited up for the Cowboys, the re-signing of Benson Mayowa and addition of Kerry Hyder being the some others. 

Smith joins Seattle owning tallied fifty two.five sacks in his tumultuous, but now revived, NFL profession.