It is rare to see an NFL player take a year off from playing the game and ultimately make a successful comeback.
Outside of injury, this doesn't happen often, but one former New York Giants player is hoping to be next in line.
The Las Vegas Raiders have officially signed former Pro Bowl linebacker Jaylon Smith in hopes that he can revive his career under new head coach Pete Carrol.
Jaylon Smith's career took a drastic turn which ultimately led him back to a chance at redemption
After spending 2021 and 2022 with the Giants, Smith saw his career take an even wider turn for the worse. He spent time on three separate practice squads, appearing in just one regular season game for the Raiders in 2023 before the 2024 season saw him out of the game altogether.
This all comes after the former second-round pick earned a Pro Bowl bid for the Dallas Cowboys back in 2019.
Smith was a highly-touted prospect coming out in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Notre Dame product was picked to be a future star in Dallas, and for a little while, it looked like that might end up coming to fruition.
Between the years of 2018-2020, Smith totaled 417 tackles, 18 pass breakups, 8.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. He looked to be living up to his draft billing.
Because he refused to waive his injury guarantee clause in 2021, the Cowboys released him in October before he ultimately went on to sign with the Green Bay Packers. It was an ugly breakup between he and the Cowboys after MIcah Parsons took over Smith's spotlight and Smith was forced out the door.
Green Bay released him shortly after signing him, too, which allowed him to sign with the Giants' practice squad. Then, in 2022, Smith would go on to start 11 games and finished with 88 tackles.
Now back with the Raiders, the former Giant has a legitimate shot to extend his NFL career.