Former Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith was supposed to be enjoying the quiet part of retirement after announcing his retirement in April 2025. Not detonating the internet with a sprint time that looks ripped from a lab experiment. The former Cowboys cornerstone just clocked a 1.55-second 10-yard split, which is a burst so violent that it practically screams that he never belonged in the “aging former player” category to begin with. At 34, that kind of acceleration isn’t impressive. It’s threatening.
This wasn’t a nostalgia clip meant to remind fans of the old days. It was a siren. A warning. A stunning reminder that Smith’s body hasn’t followed the timeline the NFL demands. When a retired 300-pounder outran the early acceleration numbers of Hall of Fame wideouts, the discussion instantly shifted from admiration to a far hotter topic: Is this man actually capable of returning?
Smith’s 1.55s 10-yard split would’ve ranked 10th among running backs at the 2025 NFL Combine. Not offensive linemen, but running backs, are the most burst-dependent athletes on the field. His split even registered faster than Hall of Fame receivers Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and Marvin Harrison managed in their primes. That’s not a throwaway comparison. That’s a flashing red alert that Smith’s explosiveness is still absurdly elite.
For a player his size, this level of acceleration shouldn’t exist at 34. Yet Smith has once again broken an unwritten rule of physics: the older you get, the slower you become. Except he didn’t. He looks sharper, leaner, and shockingly reactive. One of the fans on X commented, representing thousands of Cowboys fans’ feelings: We need back on the Dallas Line or becoming a coach to help our O-Line.” So, the million-dollar question is, could Tyron Smith return to the NFL?
Former Cowboys OT Tyron Smith Could Follow Brandon Graham’s Footsteps
If you want to know whether Tyron Smith could follow in the footsteps of the Philadelphia Eagles veteran Brandon Graham, the answer is yes. Graham returned to the Eagles from retirement on Oct. 21, 2025. Smith has shown signs that put him in the same late-career resurgence category that Graham carved out for himself in Philadelphia.
Most linemen in their mid-thirties slow down and struggle to keep their bodies together. Graham was the rare exception who rebuilt himself after thirty, found a second wind, and created a new chapter of dominance. Smith’s recent ten-yard split in 1.55 seconds suggests he might be capable of something similar.
Brandon Graham stayed relevant deep into his thirties because his first step survived the mileage. Tyron Smith’s burst looks even more violent. A time that is faster than several Hall of Fame wide receivers recorded at the NFL Combine is not ordinary veteran strength. It is evidence of a body that has reset and regained explosiveness, which is exactly what allowed Graham to keep playing after many assumed he was finished.
Why Could Tyron Smith Follow Brandon Graham’s Path?
Brandon Graham extended his career well into his thirties because he never lost his first step. Even after major injuries, his get-off remained strong enough to make him effective in a rotational role. Smith’s acceleration is not simply good for his age. It is elite for active players. That alone makes the comparison valid. So, Smith’s ten-yard split proves his acceleration is still rare. You do not move like that at thirty-four unless your body has recovered in a significant way.
Secondly, Smith never declined because of talent. His retirement stemmed from injuries, not fading ability. Graham had a similar story. People counted him out, but he rebuilt himself and returned stronger. Thirdly, late career longevity is becoming more common.
Jason Peters, Andrew Whitworth, Trent Williams, and Graham are the veterans who showed that elite linemen can play into their late thirties if they manage recovery and workload correctly. Smith has the athletic baseline to join that list.
Fourthly, A reduced role fits Smith perfectly. Graham reinvented himself as a rotational threat who played fewer snaps but stayed explosive. Smith could easily take on a similar role. Fewer games, targeted usage, and a focus on pass protection could extend his career. And lastly, teams always need elite tackle help. Smith would not return as a depth player. He would instantly improve nearly any offensive line in the league.
Tyron Smith absolutely could return to the NFL. Graham showed recently that the league that a player in his thirties can reload, recover, and dominate again. Smith’s freakish ten-yard split is proof he still has the physical gifts to make it happen. If he ever decides to come back, the NFL would not just be interested. Teams would line up for him.