Cowboys star still on rookie contract changes agents; already eyeing monster deal in 2027?

Cowboys star still on rookie contract changes agents; already eyeing monster deal in 2027?
In late April, the Cowboys picked up the fifth-year option for offensive lineman Tyler Smith, ensuring that the former first-round draft pick- entering his fourth season as a pro- will see out his rookie contract with a big blue star on his helmet.
But the 24-year-old already has one eye on his financial future beyond 2026.
Smith has new representation, it was announced Monday. The two-time Pro Bowler will now be working with Athletes First. Per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, the agency's Joe Panos and Todd France will take Smith on as a client.
Athletes First already represents several of the highest-profile Cowboys, including quarterback Dak Prescott, edge rusher Micah Parsons, kicker Brandon Aubrey, and newly-acquired wide receiver George Pickens.
Thanks to France, Prescott earned a record-setting $240 million contract just hours before the 2024 season kicked off. Parsons (working with the agency's David Mulugheta) is widely expected to sign a new deal this offseason that will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.
Smith's business move has already suggested to some that the Fort Worth native could be seeking top-of-market money for his position following the 2026 NFL season. The fifth-year option recently exercised by the club locks in a 2026 base salary for Smith of $21.27 million, though the two sides can negotiate a longer-term deal before then.
Panos got a shout-out recently during the club's retirement ceremony for Tyron Smith. The five-time All-Pro singled out Panos, calling him someone who changed his life. He fought back rare emotion in saying, "You've never just been my agent; you've been family."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones echoed that sentiment, saying of Panos, "I've never seen anybody do more and get involved more to help him than you did as his friend and agent."
Tyler Smith was obviously paying attention.
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Indianapolis Star

4 hours ago

• Indianapolis Star

Noah Smith shines, Luke Ertel sits and 10 more takeaways from Charlie Hughes Shootout Day 1

CARMEL – If Noah Smith can stack more days like Friday, the recruitment of the Plainfield basketball senior is bound to really take off. Playing in front of college coaches at the Charlie Hughes Shootout, the 6-8, 205-pound Smith went for 29 points in a 92-88 win over Silver Creek and 28 points in an 89-85 loss to South Bend St. Joseph. 'Noah has improved tremendously since the end of last season,' Plainfield coach Andy Weaver said. 'He put on some strength, some weight, and the thing is his game translates definitely to the next level with his skill set. I think people will see his game rise to another level.' Smith, a core Junior Indiana All-Star last season after averaging 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds, has several scholarship offers already, including DePaul, East Carolina, Toledo and Xavier. Purdue assistant Brandon Brantley was one of the coaches keeping tabs on Smith on Friday. Virginia Tech is another school that has been in contact recently, along with Ball State, Indiana State and Belmont. 'I've been talking to DePaul a lot,' Smith said. 'Pretty soon I'm going to be taking an official visit. I've been talking to Purdue a lot. I went to the Purdue camp (last Friday) and I played pretty good. (The Purdue coaches) said they love my game. They were here at both my games today.' It is not difficult to see how Smith's game would translate to the next level. He shot 5-for-6 from the 3-point line in a game at the Purdue team camp and again shot it well from the perimeter on Friday. Smith was a 32% 3-point shooter during his junior season. 'I feel like I've been shooting a lot better,' Smith said. 'Obviously I'm the tallest guy on our team, so I'll be playing the 5 (as a senior) but I'll still be on the perimeter and taking it from there. (Colleges) see me as a 3 or 4. That's where I've been playing in AAU.' In the transfer portal era, it is more difficult for high school players to get recruited. Anyone watching Smith on Friday — and Indiana coach Darian DeVries was among them — had to be impressed. 'A couple of college coaches have told me they talk to fewer high school kids than they used to, obviously with what's been happening in college basketball,' Weaver said. 'But with Noah's skill, basketball IQ and size and length, his best basketball is in front of him. And he's playing good basketball currently, too. But without question, colleges should be all over him.' Mt. Vernon star guard Luke Ertel saw his Charlie Hughes Shootout last all of 88 seconds. The Purdue recruit, who sat out two days of games at last week's NBPA Top 100 camp after spraining his right ankle, rehabbed to get himself ready for the four games at this weekend's shootout. But Mt. Vernon's game against Crown Point had barely started when he turned it again and came out. 'I have to make sure I'm healthy,' said Ertel, who jumped more than 50 spots to No. 54 in the latest 247Sports recruiting rankings for the 2026 class. 'There's no point in trying to do something. This whole week has been a process of trying to rehab and get ready for this but after that happened (Friday) it's just kind of like, 'Let's get better for July.' It's a big bummer because it's my senior year and I didn't want to miss it.' With Ertel out, Mt. Vernon lost 59-53 to Crown Point and 51-42 to Gary 21st Century. 'The other teams brought great energy and we really didn't match it,' Ertel said. ∎ Lawrence North transfer Jamar Thomas is going to be a nice addition for Mt. Vernon. Thomas, a senior, had 17 points in the loss to Gary 21st Century. 'He's another playmaker who can drive to the hoop and create for others,' Ertel said. ∎ South Bend St. Joseph, last year's Class 3A state champion, is moving up to Class 4A via the tournament success factor. But do not sleep on St. Joseph as a legit title contender. Elijah King went for 26 points and Nick Shrewsberry added 22 in a 92-88 win over Plainfield. St. Joseph then knocked off Lawrence North 70-65. A couple more good tests coming on Saturday against Carmel and Fishers. ∎ Justin Curry went for 31 points in Noblesville's 63-45 win over Penn. The Millers also defeated Gary 21st Century 66-44. ∎ Good showing Friday for Crown Point, which got 22 points from 6-6 senior Dikembe Shaw and 18 from Mason Darrell in a 59-53 win over Mt. Vernon. Crown Point also knocked off Parke Heritage 53-44. The Bulldogs will play Lawrence North and Fishers on Saturday at Carmel. ∎ In addition to Noah Smith, Plainfield got a massive day from junior guard Harper Baker-Lands, who had 20 points in the first quarter (31 for the game) in a 92-88 win over Silver Creek. Baker-Lands had 32 points in an 89-85 loss to South Bend St. Joseph. Landon Gilliatt had 17 points in the loss to St. Joseph and drilled six 3-pointers against Silver Creek. ∎ Princeton rallied for a 57-54 win over Franklin Central, breaking a tie on two Edwin Holmes free throws with 4 seconds remaining. Holmes, a 6-7 senior, finished with 25 points. Quintyn Voltz, who averaged a team-high 12.0 points and 2.2 assists last year at Decatur Central, has transferred to Princeton. ∎ Brownsburg got a strong performance from junior guard Branden Sharpe in a 71-64 win over Shelbyville. Sharpe, a top prospect in football, finished with 16 points to hold off Shelbyville, which was led by 20 points from Caden Claxton. Brownsburg also defeated Kokomo 78-59. North Central transfer Chrishon Woodward should fit in nicely for the Bulldogs. Woodward had 16 points in the win over Kokomo. ∎ I did not see Westview play last year, but I like the look of junior guard Austin Schlabach. Bouncy athlete who can score. Westview is coming off an 18-8 sectional championship season. ∎ Tyler Crews of Gary West Side is a player to watch. Crews, a 6-10 senior, has an offer from Southern Utah and a lot of potential. His teammate, senior guard Reggie Hinton, had one of the most impressive dunks of the day in the win over Kokomo. ∎ Silver Creek is going to be a handful in Class 3A. Dane Caldwell had 26 points in the 92-88 loss to Plainfield and Brandon Hunter added 19. The Dragons also a lost a close one to Lawrence North, 67-62.

Newsweek

4 hours ago

• Newsweek

Analyst Guarantees NY Giant Will Feast With Abdul Carter

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. There's a lot of hype building behind the New York Giants' defensive standout, Brian Burns. Although he has already spent a season in New York, one NFL analyst anticipates a major rise for Burns during the 2025 NFL season. Marc Ross of listed seven players who he believes are "guaranteed risers" in the league this season. Burns topped the list now that he has a young stud joining the organization. "I guarantee the two-time Pro Bowler's production will vastly increase with Abdul Carter's arrival," Ross wrote. "The No. 3 overall draft pick is the most talented pass pusher to enter the league since Micah Parsons in 2021, and Carter's impact on the Giants defense is likely to be similar to the one the four-time Pro Bowler has made in Dallas." Read More: NY Giants Insider Drops Massive Abdul Carter Take Since entering the NFL out of Florida State in 2019, Burns has had high expectations attached. He was the 16th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, joining the Carolina Panthers. It wasn't until year two that Burns became a full-time starter for the Panthers. He appeared in 15 games, generating 58 tackles and nine sacks. Brian Burns #0 of the New York Giants looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 5, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brian Burns #0 of the New York Giants looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 5, 2025 in Philadelphia, Burns' five-year run in Carolina, he earned two Pro Bowl nods. His first came in 2021, when he produced 50 tackles, nine sacks, and 18 total hits on the quarterback in 17 games. In 2022, Burns followed up with another Pro Bowl performance, generating 63 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 22 hits on the quarterback. He also forced a fumble. After Burns played his final season with the Panthers in 2023, the veteran was traded to the Giants. Once he ended up in New York, Burns earned a five-year extension, which was worth $141 million. The Giants were happy with the investment after year one of the deal. Read More: NY Giants Coach Excited About Key Russell Wilson Skill In 17 games, Burns came up with 71 tackles, which marked a career high. He also had 18 hits on the quarterback, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and eight pass deflections. Offensive lines had their hands full with Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux last season. It certainly doesn't get any easier with a guy like Abdul Carter in the situation. The former Penn State defensive lineman enters the NFL as one of the most intriguing prospects. That might take some of the attention off Burns, leaving the talented veteran to take advantage of double-teams happening elsewhere. For more New York Giants and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

New York Post

4 hours ago

• New York Post

Former ESPN host unleashes scathing Stephen A. Smith attack

Former ESPN host Jason Fitz didn't like Stephen A. Smith's comments about Memphis — and called him out for it. Fitz, who worked on ESPN's digital side and the radio, claimed that Smith is often unprepared during an appearance during an appearance on 92.9 ESPN in Memphis on Tuesday following the 'First Take' host's controversial comments on the Tennessee city. Smith said on the show that while Memphis is a great sports town some NBA starts don't feel safe there., 'But there's an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don't feel it's the safest environment. I'm talking to the local authorities in Memphis,' Smith said. 'You've got to clean some of that stuff up because it's dissuasive to NBA players. They have talked about it. I know. They've told me.' Fitz responded by calling out Smith's preparedness. 'Stephen A. is one of the least prepared people I've ever worked with in my entire career,' Fitz said. 3 Jason Fitz attends the Allstate Party at the Playoff, hosted by ESPN & CFP on January 7, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images for ESPN & CFP Fitz mentioned how he often worked 80-hour weeks during his final fall with the network before being laid off in 2023, questioning how Smith would have time to generate informed opinions on Memphis. 'Now, Stephen A. is busier than I ever was. We see him making content 24/7,' Fitz said. 'So, I guess my question to people in Memphis is: how much Memphis do you think he's actually absorbed? And I mean all of it. Memphis culture, Memphis basketball. 3 Stephen A. Smith reports from the sideline during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Western Conference finals on May 26, 2025 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NBAE via Getty Images 'What the hell does Stephen A. know about the city of Memphis? And the answer to that is only what his friends or his people on his phone, tweet him, or text him. That's all he knows. He is so separated from actual reality. What does he know?' Fitz also claimed that Smith 'eats and breathes stereotypes,' while also saying that he likely has not watched a Grizzlies game in years. 'Stephen A. walks and talks and lives and eats and breathes stereotypes,' Fitz said. 'That's all he knows… Frankly, he has to talk about the city of Memphis because my guy hasn't watched a single Memphis basketball game in probably three years.' 3 Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) shoots the ball past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) during the first half in Game 4 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. AP 'Stephen A. has a staff and info group that feeds him information so that he can have somewhat informed opinions, and they're usually not because he works too hard to actually watch any games,' added Fitz. Memphis Mayor Paul Young extended Smith an invitation to the city, and the ESPN personality accepted. 'Deeply appreciate your words and the sentiments that came with them,' Smith wrote on X on Thursday. 'Progress is what life is all about and when it comes to Memphis -where some dear friends of mine reside − I wish for nothing less. The people deserve nothing less. 'So with that said, I accept your invitation to come to your city, as your guest. Let's make it happen. I'm looking forward to it.'