The Dallas Cowboys completed Week 1 of voluntary organized team activities with three of the projected five starting offensive line positions filled: Tyler Smith at left guard, Cooper Beebe at center, and Tyler Booker at right guard. Terence Steele, who has started 52 games at right tackle over the past three seasons, is not guaranteed a starting role, while third-round pick Drew Shelton could push him for the job. Steele is not the only player who could be pushed out of a starting role.
The Dallas Cowboys LT has had a rough start to his career
Tyler Guyton has struggled to fill the shoes of Tyron Smith at left tackle following Smith’s departure to the New York Jets in 2024. He allowed 26 pressures and six sacks in his rookie season before a high-ankle sprain caused him to lose the starting job over the final four games. Guyton battled multiple injuries in 2025, including a knee bone fracture in late July that sidelined him for the rest of training camp and the preseason, before he returned for the season opener with rust. He then missed Week 5 with a concussion and the final six games with a high-ankle sprain, finishing with 31 pressures and two sacks.
Nathan Thomas was his primary backup, logging 317 snaps across four starts.
The Cowboys’ 1st-round pick is not guaranteed a starting job in Year 3
During Thursday’s press conference, Brian Schottenheimer was asked about the current state of the left tackle position heading into Week 2 of OTAs, as reported by Nick Harris of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The head coach said that Tyler Guyton and Nathan Thomas are competing to handle blindside blocking duties for Dak Prescott, as the former first-round pick is not guaranteed the starting job. Guyton faces a pivotal third season because his rookie contract includes a fully guaranteed 5th-year option for 2028, with the decision due next May, and he will likely have his option declined if he loses the job or struggles.
Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer says that Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas are competing right now to start at left tackle.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) June 4, 2026
In addition, the Cowboys have not ruled out moving Tyler Smith to left tackle if neither player stands out. The three-time Pro Bowler has logged more than 300 snaps and four starts there over the past two seasons, including the final three games and 203 snaps in 2025. In this scenario, T.J. Bass, whom the team placed a $5 million-plus second-round RFA tender on in February, would likely be inserted at left guard.
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