Nov 1, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) walks off the field after loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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New Green Bay Packers linebacker Jaylon Smith reveals why he left the Dallas Cowboys.
When the Dallas Cowboys released Jaylon Smith this past Tuesday, it was a shock to many in the NFL world. A day later, Smith had already found a new home with the Green Bay Packers. Friday, in Smith’s first press conference as a Packer, he detailed what led to his departure from Dallas.
Jaylon Smith on why he and the Cowboys parted ways: “Nothing other than business. It’s the National Football League. I’m just blessed and thankful to be able to play at the place I wanted to play, and that’s with the Green Bay Packers.”
What kind of player are you now?
“Elite.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 8, 2021
Smith referred to the mutual parting of ways as nothing but business and emphasized that he is happy to be in Green Bay.
Packers: Jaylon Smith happy to be in Green Bay
Throughout his press conference, Smith continued to emphasize two things — that Green Bay is where he wanted to be and that he is still an elite linebacker, despite what critics may say.
Jaylon Smith says he isn’t worried about the “doubters” who question how much he has left: “I know what kind of player I am.”
Asked him what kind of player he is right now. He repeats the same word twice: “Elite. Elite.”
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) October 8, 2021
Smith proved that he can be an elite linebacker. He was an elite linebacker in college before suffering a devastating knee injury that left him with nerve damage. He was able to work back from that injury and become an elite linebacker again in 2019 when he made the Pro Bowl. Now he is tasked with proven doubters wrong again after his declining play caused him to be released from the Cowboys.
If Smith can return to his elite status, it will not only be great for him but amazing for a Packers defense that has struggled at times. Smith at his peak will give Green Bay a speedy and physical sideline-to-sideline linebacker. It is a union that both sides wanted, so hopefully it can workout for the pair.
