A former Notre Dame football standout who has had a tumultuous career in the NFL is getting a second life. Jaylon Smith is getting ready to play for the Las Vegas Raiders this autumn, even though he hasn’t played since 2023.
In order to have a chance to return to the NFL, the former All-America linebacker went to tremendous measures. Despite having spent seven years in the league beginning in 2017, he took part in a rookie minicamp during a trial.
Jaylon Smith signs with Raiders after tryout sparks NFL comeback hopes
It turns out that the Las Vegas Raiders were persuaded to provide the former Notre Dame football player a real contract after that audition. In his lone appearance with the Raiders in 2023, Smith had two tackles. He hasn’t participated in a game since that one, but he plans to alter that once this season begins.
Following a severe knee injury in the final game of his Notre Dame career, he was originally projected as a high draft choice to finish his Fighting Irish career. As a result, he was selected 34th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. Before being cut by the Dallas Cowboys in the middle of his sixth season, he played for them for five whole seasons.
He also played for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers that season. He then spent 2022 with the Giants, playing in 13 games.
Before joining the Raiders in November 2023, he started the 2023 season with the New Orleans Saints. Smith played the remainder of the season on the Steelers practice squad after being waived by Las Vegas less than three weeks later. The former standout football player for Notre Dame was never added to the active roster of the Steelers.
