The Dallas Cowboys informed free agent Aldon Smith that he will not hire him again after one season, an ESPN source told Ed Werder on Wednesday.
After serving an indefinite suspension from 2016 to 2019 for several off-field incidents and violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, Smith joined the Cowboys in 2020 in a one-year deal that could have paid him up to $ 4 million based on certain incentives.
Smith, 31, ended the season with five sacks – including three in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks. He was second to DeMarcus Lawrence in the Cowboys with 33 quarterback pressures and had 48 tackles, 5 loss tackles and 2 fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown.
The decision not to bring Smith back was reinforced by hiring Cowboys from veteran free player Tarell Basham.
ESPN’s Todd Archer contributed to this report.