In the end, it did not make too much difference for the Cowboys, not with a defense that has reverted to early season form and did about as much to stop the Chargers in Sunday’s 34-17 loss as butter does to stop a hot knife. But it could make a massive difference in the long run, as the Cowboys finally made a critical move on the offensive line, changing Tyler Smith‘s position.
Smith had been the team’s left guard this season for every snap he had played before the Chargers loss, 906 snaps in total. On Sunday, with Tyler Guyton out and Nate Thomas struggling (and officially tagged with an arm injury), Smith was moved to left tackle, a position he had played twice in 2024 but had not manned consistently since his rookie year.
As a rookie with Tyron Smith injured, Smith played 1,118 snaps at left tackle and 154 at guard. But he shifted back to guard in 2023, playing all 1,036 snaps there. Smith is an excellent guard, but has only been so-so as a tackle. That’s the dilemma the Cowboys face–they can make Smith a pretty good tackle, but they lose a great guard in doing so.
Cowboys’ Tyler Smith: ‘I Have No Idea’ About LT Future
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Sunday that the plan is to play Smith at tackle for the remainder of the season and go from there. Smith, though, said he is not quite sure where this is all going. TJ Bass replaced him at left guard on Sunday, and Schottenheimer indicated that Guyton could be more of a “swing” tackle when healthy.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, who had taken seven sacks in the past two weeks with Thomas at tackle, was sacked only once on Sunday.
Smith was asked what he thought of the new arrangement: “I honestly have no idea. For this week, it was due to some injuries, some guys going through some stuff. Ultimately I’m going to do what’s best for the team. Also, I’m a smart player, I understand who I am and where I am and ultimately what I’m getting paid to do. I’m going to be smart and we’ll have those conversations when we have those conversations.”
Cowboys Legend Nate Newton Wants Tyler Smith at LT
Former Cowboys All-Pro Nate Newton said it is an arrangement the Cowboys should stick with. Not only did they swap the left side, but the Cowboys played more with veteran Brock Hoffman at center after Cooper Beebe was injured.
Newton explained on the Cowboys’ “First Word” postgame show: “The game was different because you had a better left tackle and a more consistent left guard. We put Tyler Smith out as your left tackle, we put TJ Bass as your left guard, and then Hoffman came in after Beebe got hurt. That was an improvement. I mean, I hate to say that.
“But when you got a solid guy inside and a guy who you do not have to help every down at left tackle, that’s improvement.”
GettyCowboys legend Nate Newton wants Tyler Smith to stay at left tackle.
‘Five Best Players on the Field’
Newton also explained that the Cowboys should be worried less about which blockers play where and more concerned with just getting five good offensive linemen on the field, no matter the position.
He is in support of playing Smith at tackle in 2026.
“Tyler Smith is a super guard. He would be an above average left tackle—he still has got some things to work on. But that is your best tackle on the field,” Newton said. “Coach (Jimmy) Johnson used to tell us, forget who played what, I want my five best players on the field. If your five best players were on the field today, you need to run that back next year.”
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