Aldon Smith has not played in a NFL game since the 2015 season, but on Wednesday, the now-Dallas Cowboy received news that could mean we will see him on the field in 2020.
Smith has been granted reinstatement by the NFL from his indefinite suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies. This reinstatement will allow Smith to begin participating in meetings with members of the Cowboys’ organization during their virtual offseason program.
The 30-year-old Smith was playing for the Oakland Raiders in 2015 when he was suspended by the NFL for substance abuse issues. Smith was on track to being one of the best pass rushers in all of football – his 33.5 sacks after his second season in the NFL was the most by any player in NFL history through their first two seasons.
In the offseason, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys, a deal that could earn Smith up to $4 million. Smith’s base salary will be $960,000, and he will have the opportunity to earn incentives to get to that $4 million total.
With the reinstatement of Smith, all eyes for the Cowboys turn to Randy Gregory who is currently serving an indefinite suspension from the NFL, which he has been on since February 2019. Regardless of whether or not Gregory plays for the Cowboys in 2020, the return of Smith should have fans excited given how good Smith was during his time with the San Francisco 49ers, albeit that was over a half decade ago.
SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019
