EXCLUSIVE : Wild’s Trade Proposal Sends Cowboys 2-Time Pro Browler.
A two-time Pro Bowl player and former Super Bowl champion might find the Dallas Cowboys to be the perfect place to settle down.
According to Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report, in a “hypothetical” trade scenario, the Cowboys might be interested in offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tyron Smith, a veteran tackle, will soon be eligible for free agency, therefore Wirfs is brought up as a possible replacement.
For years to come, Tansey says, “the Cowboys could take a big swing on the offensive line trade market to secure the interior.” “Re-signing Smith for a season or two and selecting an offensive tackle in the first round would be the Cowboys’ simple fix. The unconventional and outrageous possibility would be to give Tristan Wirfs a call from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In addition, Tansey uses Wirfs’ contract expiration as justification for the Cowboys to consider signing the youthful tackle.
“Wirfs has an expensive one-year contract left, but given their standing in the NFC, the Cowboys may be a draw for the 24-year-old left tackle,” Tansey writes. “To compete with the Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, Dallas needs top players at every position. One way to do that might be to trade a few draft picks for a left tackle who could be the team’s starter for the next ten years.”
At 33 Years Old, Tyron Smith Is Still a Top Left Tackle
Since joining the NFL in 2011 with the Cowboys, Smith has started all 158 of his games as a starting tackle. Despite being 33 years old, he is still among the league’s best left tackles, if not the best blindside blocker.
Smith has an 84.0 offensive grade and an 89.1 pass-blocking grade this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Of all players at his position this season, Smith has the greatest pass-blocking grade and the third-highest offensive grade among full-time tackles.
It is possible, though, that Smith will walk elsewhere in search of a greater salary. Based on his performance this season, OverTheCap values Smith’s contract at $16.750 million. The Cowboys won’t give the 33-year-old veteran, who is about to start his 14th season, that kind of money, even though his play is still at an elite level.
Reasons the Cowboys Might Replace Tyron Smith with Tristan Wirfs
The Cowboys would have to find a replacement if Smith is able to get a better offer from the market. Dallas would prefer an experienced replacement for the left tackle position given its importance, particularly in protecting Dak Prescott’s blindside. Wirfs would enter the picture at that point.
Wirfs is only 24 years old, yet he has already participated in the largest games. After Tom Brady was traded to Tampa for three years, Wirfs filled in as the starting right tackle after being taken with the 13th overall choice in the 2020 NFL Draft. This season, he moved to left tackle and is still performing at a high level.
Wirfs has recorded an 83.8 pass-blocking grade and a 77.8 offensive grade this season, according PFF. Just behind Smith, the pass-blocking grade is really the third-highest of all full-time tackles.
The easiest option to go all in on a rebuild if the Buccaneers decide to forego making the playoffs this year could be to trade Wirfs for a group of draft picks. Should that prove to be the case, the Cowboys may be the ideal landing spot for Wirfs.
