Why Cowboys gave up on Mazi Smith in blockbuster trade with Jets

The Dallas Cowboys made a major upgrade on Tuesday before the NFL trade deadline.

They picked up superstar defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets.

The ample draft capital going the other way was the main cost, but that wasn't all.

They also gave up Mazi Smith.

It ends a disappointing era in Dallas for Smith, who was the No. 26 overall pick in 2022.

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Why did the Cowboys trade Mazi Smith?

The Cowboys traded Mazi Smith essentially to give up on him.

The Jets get a DT to play in place of Williams, and the Cowboys move on from a disappointment.

When the Cowboys picked Smith in the first round, he was coming off first-team All-Big Ten honors at Michigan.

Smith never replicated his form in the NFL, though.

The Cowboys made Smith inactive on Monday night. That wasn't a total surprise just because he hasn't been good enough to be on the field consistently anyway. In retrospect, it may also have been because he was in trade talks.

The Jets will hope they can unlock Smith's potential. Cowboys fans are likely glad to be rid of him.

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