Former Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith is looking to get back in the NFL, signing with the Dallas Cowboys on a reported one-year, $4 million deal. Smith only played for the Raiders in 2015, but was technically under contract until 2018.
Smith has had a number of legal issues throughout his professional career. Smith’s 2015 season was cut short after the NFL issued a one-year suspension for his involvement in a hit and run accident. The Raiders resigned him to a two-year contract the following year, but the NFL never reinstated him due to further legal issues.
In his one year with the Raiders, Smith was able to participate in nine games, starting seven of them and recording 3.5 sacks and 21 solo tackles.
The NFL has recently decided to no longer include marijuana on the list of banned substances, which plagued Smith earlier in his career. This decision could help lead to Smith’s reinstatement by the NFL, which he has applied for. Smith posted his signing to Instagram with the caption “Life is good. I’m thankful. I’m blessed. I’m a Cowboy.” Smith also added that he will stop living life as a victim:
If Smith can return anywhere near to form, he should be able to make an immediate difference. In his last full NFL season, he posted 19.5 sacks and 50 solo tackles, earning him an All-Pro recognition. Of course, that was in his sophomore season eight years ago. Even if Smith can stay on the field now, it would not be surprising to see age catching up with him.
Smith was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers where he put up the second most sacks by a rookie in NFL history, despite not starting in a single game. He eventually lost out on the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year to the Denver Bronco’s Von Miller.
