The Cowboys spent most of their offseason attention on fixing a defense that had been a mess in 2025, and that made sense. But one of the biggest problems on the roster never really got the same level of urgency: the offensive tackles.
Dallas can point to a loaded offense led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams. The interior of the line also looks strong, with Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, and Tyler Booker anchoring the middle. The trouble starts on the edges, where the tackle play was shaky last season and the answers heading into 2026 still look thin.
Tyler Guyton opened at left tackle and posted a PFF grade of 57.5, which ranked 71st out of 87 qualified tackles. Terrence Steele was only slightly better on the right side, finishing 55th with a 63.6 grade. Behind them, second-year player Nathan Thomas was 88th with a 39.2 grade.
Even with those numbers sitting there in plain view, Dallas is heading into training camp with the same three names at the top of the tackle depth chart. That’s why The Big Lead’s Derek Antoine is taking the front office to task for not doing more to address the spot.
“Dallas’ tackle situation still feels unsettled, and that matters more than it’s getting discussed. Tyler Guyton has the physical tools to become a long-term answer, but he has not played with the consistency needed for Dallas to simply check that box and move on,” Antoine wrote.
“Terence Steele brings experience, but there are still fair questions about whether he can hold up at the level this offense needs. Behind them, the depth does not offer much comfort if injuries or poor play start to pile up.”
Antoine’s bigger point is that Dallas doesn’t really have a plan at tackle so much as a hope that the current group improves. The Cowboys did try to accelerate that process by using Thomas to push Guyton.
Earlier this offseason, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thomas would compete with Guyton for the starting left tackle job and made clear that Guyton had to win it. At the time, that raised the question of whether it was a true battle or simply a way to challenge Guyton.
Not long after, rookie fourth-round pick Drew Shelton was working at left tackle with the second team behind Guyton, while Thomas was working with the second team at right tackle behind Steele. That setup suggests the Cowboys believe they have their answers. The problem is that, without a dependable option at either tackle spot, it could become a serious issue for the offense.
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