BREAKING – Dallas Cowboys Officially Move On From Former First-Round Pick Mazi Smith

The Dallas Cowboys have never been a franchise shy of controversy, but this latest roster decision may go down as one of the most telling examples of how brutal the NFL business can be. After months of speculation and weeks of poor preseason performances, the Cowboys have officially cut ties with defensive tackle Mazi Smith, their once-promising first-round pick out of Michigan.

For a team that prides itself on talent evaluation and long-term roster building, this move isn’t just a personnel adjustment — it’s an admission of failure. For fans, it is another painful reminder of how quickly the dream of a “franchise cornerstone” can dissolve under the weight of unmet expectations.

A Rocky Start from Day One

Smith’s journey in Dallas was uphill from the very beginning. Selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, his arrival wasn’t greeted with unanimous applause. Many fans and analysts immediately recalled the ill-fated pick of Taco Charlton back in 2017, another Michigan defender who never lived up to the hype. That memory colored the reception Smith received.

To his credit, Smith came into the league with elite physical tools. At 6-foot-3 and over 320 pounds, his strength and raw athleticism stood out in college. Scouts raved about his upside as a run-stopping anchor in the middle of the defensive line. The Cowboys, desperate for a solution in the trenches, gambled on that potential.

But the NFL is unforgiving, and raw traits alone rarely translate into stardom.

The Rookie Year Disappointment

Smith’s rookie campaign in 2023 was underwhelming at best. Instead of being the disruptive force the Cowboys hoped for, he struggled to hold his ground against stronger, more refined interior linemen. What was supposed to be a year of flashes and development turned into a year of questions.

Complicating matters further was a controversy over his weight and conditioning. Reports swirled that he had difficulty staying in peak football shape, and whispers about whether he truly possessed the work ethic to become elite began to grow louder. Fans, already skeptical of the pick, were not given much to hold onto.

A Slight Uptick in 2024 — But Not Enough

The second season brought modest improvement. Smith showed flashes of the talent that made him a first-rounder, recording a handful of key tackles and at times holding his ground against the run. But for every positive play, there were two or three snaps where he was swallowed whole by opposing offensive linemen.

The Cowboys’ coaching staff remained patient, publicly voicing belief in his development. Privately, however, there was a growing concern: Smith wasn’t making the leap that young linemen typically show by Year Two.

2025 Preseason Collapse

By the time the 2025 preseason arrived, patience had nearly run dry. This was supposed to be the year Smith silenced critics and justified the Cowboys’ investment. Instead, his performance has been described as his worst stretch of football yet.

Consistently blown off the line of scrimmage, struggling to disengage from blocks, and failing to provide any resistance against the run, Smith became more of a liability than an asset. It wasn’t just that he wasn’t improving — he was regressing.

In a league where every roster spot is precious, the Cowboys could no longer afford to hope for a turnaround that seemed less and less likely by the day.

The Bigger Picture: Defensive Line Woes

Smith’s decline is part of a much larger concern for Dallas. The defensive line, once viewed as a strength of the team, has become a glaring weakness. The Cowboys have lacked a dominant interior presence for years, relying heavily on their edge rushers to mask deficiencies in the middle.

This preseason exposed the depth chart’s cracks. Rookies like Toia have shown promise, and veterans such as Perrion Winfrey have at least provided effort and energy. Compared to Smith, they looked hungrier, sharper, and simply more effective.

For the Cowboys’ front office, the choice boiled down to this: keep a struggling first-rounder out of pride, or admit the mistake and give opportunities to players who can contribute right now.

Why the Cowboys Finally Pulled the Plug

The Cowboys don’t like admitting mistakes. This has been one of the hallmarks — and frustrations — of Jerry Jones’s leadership style. Draft busts are often given long leashes, sometimes to the detriment of the team’s success on the field.

In Smith’s case, the financial factor also loomed large. Releasing him leaves behind nearly $3.5 million in dead cap, a hit that the Cowboys historically try to avoid. But this time, the front office reached a breaking point.

The message was clear: continuing to waste snaps on Smith would hurt the team far more than the financial loss. Cutting him wasn’t just about one player; it was about accountability and setting a standard for the locker room.

What Went Wrong with Mazi Smith?

When a first-round pick flames out so quickly, the question always lingers: why?

Several factors contributed:

1. Fit in the System – Smith thrived in Michigan’s scheme, which allowed him to play to his raw strength. The Cowboys asked him to develop quicker technical skills and adapt to faster, smarter offensive lines, and he never made that transition.

2. Conditioning Issues – Even small weight fluctuations matter for defensive tackles. Smith’s inability to consistently maintain peak fitness robbed him of explosiveness.

3. Work Ethic and Development – Though not lacking in effort entirely, reports suggest Smith never embraced the “all-consuming” mindset needed to refine his game.

4. Psychological Pressure – Being linked to Taco Charlton from Day One unfairly placed extra pressure on Smith. For some players, that shadow can be suffocating.

What This Means for Dallas

For the Cowboys, moving on from Smith is both painful and freeing. Painful, because admitting a wasted first-round pick always stings. Freeing, because it allows them to reallocate snaps to players who can actually improve the defensive line rotation.

Young talent like Toia will now get a chance to prove himself. Veterans like Winfrey will see increased opportunities. And most importantly, the Cowboys’ coaching staff can focus on building a defensive identity that isn’t weighed down by the baggage of a failed investment.

The Fan Perspective

Cowboys Nation has never been shy about voicing opinions, and this decision is sure to split the fanbase. Some will celebrate, finally seeing the team cut ties with a player who wasn’t producing. Others will mourn the wasted draft capital and wonder what could have been if Smith had been developed differently.

One thing is certain: fans deserve honesty. They watched the same preseason games the coaches did, and they saw the same struggles. To continue selling them the hope of a “turnaround” would have been insulting. In that sense, the Cowboys at least respected their supporters enough to be real about the situation.

Could Mazi Smith Find New Life Elsewhere?

The NFL has a way of giving talented players second chances. Smith may very well catch on with another team willing to take a flyer on his raw physical gifts. At just 24 years old, his career isn’t necessarily over. Sometimes a change of scenery, a different scheme, or a new coaching staff can spark a revival.

But the odds are stacked against him. Once a first-rounder is labeled a bust, that label rarely disappears. Smith’s challenge will be proving that he’s more than a draft mistake — and that begins with reshaping both his body and his mindset.

Final Thoughts: A Hard Lesson for the Cowboys

The release of Mazi Smith is more than a transaction; it’s a cautionary tale. Drafting for potential is always risky, and when the payoff never arrives, the consequences can linger for years.

For Dallas, this decision signals a shift. Maybe the front office is learning that clinging to mistakes only prolongs the pain. Maybe this is the start of a more ruthless, more honest era in roster management.

For fans, it’s bittersweet. The hope of watching a young player blossom into a star is one of the joys of following football. When that hope crumbles, it hurts. But in the end, honesty and accountability are the foundations of building a championship team.

And if the Cowboys are serious about chasing greatness, then sometimes that means cutting ties — no matter how high the draft pick, no matter how much money it costs, and no matter how much pride must be swallowed.