Jaylon Smith Contract Overview
Jaylon Smith is an NFL linebacker whose contract terms have been widely tracked since he entered the league. His most notable deal was signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, when he agreed to a six-year extension worth up to $58 million, with $32 million guaranteed. That contract made him one of the highest-paid linebackers at the time and tied him to Dallas through 2022. His base salary and cap hit have been closely followed by analysts on sites like Spotrac, which provides detailed salary cap tables for the Cowboys.
Before the extension, Smith earned a four-year rookie contract from 2014 to 2017, with total guarantees of roughly $9 million and a signing bonus of $6.8 million. His base salaries in those early years were modest compared to the later extension, starting at around $540,000 in 2014 and rising incrementally. The transition from his rookie deal to the long-term extension reflected his development into a starting-caliber linebacker and the team's desire to retain him ahead of the 2017 season.
Salary, Cap Hit, and Earnings Breakdown
In the final years of his Cowboys contract, Smith's base salary and cap number increased significantly. His 2021 base salary was reported at $9.5 million, with a cap hit that dropped after restructuring. The deal included escalators and roster bonuses that affected the salary cap in different seasons, making the exact annual cap figure vary from year to year. Detailed year-by-year salary and cap data are available on sites like OverTheCap, which tracks NFL contracts and cap space.
Smith's total earnings from his Cowboys contracts placed him among the higher-paid linebackers in the league during his tenure. His guaranteed money and average annual value were frequently cited in contract comparisons with peers such as Devin White and Fred Warner. Beyond base salary and bonuses, his compensation included standard NFL benefits and roster incentives tied to playing time and performance metrics.
Career Context and Contract Legacy
Smith was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft after a standout college career at Notre Dame. His early career was interrupted by a serious knee injury in his final college game, which affected his draft position and initial contract terms. The 2017 extension was designed to reward his resilience and production after returning from that injury, and it reflected the team's view of him as a core starter.
As of the latest available data, Smith's contract has expired, and he is no longer on the Cowboys roster, which has shifted its linebacker strategy in recent seasons. His contract is often referenced in discussions about long-term deals for linebackers and the balance between guaranteed money and performance incentives. NFL contract analysis sites continue to use his deal as a benchmark when evaluating current linebacker contracts and cap allocations.
Dallas Cowboys salary cap details provide full contract and cap breakdowns for Smith and other players. Jaylon Smith contract on OverTheCap includes year-by-year salary, cap hit, and bonus data.