The Cowboys have talent on the offensive line, and given the way they have invested in that unit, both in terms of contracts and draft picks, that’s not a surprise. But what is a surprise, and perhaps becoming a problem, is that the team appears uncertain about how to deploy the pieces it has collected up front.
That’s especially true with the best player the team has on its offensive front, left guard Tyler Smith. Or, perhaps we should say, left tackle Tyler Smith. With the ankle injury suffered by Tyler Guyton in Week 12, which has now ended his season, the Cowboys tested second-year man Nate Thomas at left tackle but found him lacking. Now, they’ve moved Smith to left tackle.
What’s not clear is whether Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler will come back in 2026 as the left tackle or return to the guard spot he mans so well. It’s a tough decision for the Cowboys–the idea is to put your best blocker into the most important position on the line, and that would mean Smith playing tackle. But Smith is an excellent guard, and only a very good tackle.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer has said he is sticking with Smith at tackle–for now.
Cowboys Need ‘Clarity’
If the Cowboys have a plan for the left tackle spot, Smith would like to hear it, for his sake and for the sake of the rest of the offensive line.
“I feel like yeah, I think clarity for all of us, not only as an offensive line unit but just as an organization,” Smith said.
“It would just be good to have clarity as to what their mindset is and what their vision is for our room and as a position group. Ultimately, the best thing I can do right now is finish out the right way and dominate whatever position I line up on Sunday and I understand that. I’m sure we’ll have conversations in the future.”
Smith did not say he is unwilling to play tackle. He just wants the team to figure out where the line is heading.
“We’ll have conversations about it,” he said. “I feel like that’s the biggest thing is just having that dialogue, and like really understanding what the vision is. That’s really important to me.”
GettyBrian Schottenheimer, Cowboys
Tyler Smith Can Play Both Guard and Tackle
Smith does have the versatility to play both spots, but the bulk of his career has been spent as a guard.
Smith had been the team’s left guard this season for every snap he had played before the Chargers loss, 906 snaps in total. He played 57 snaps against L.A. at tackle, and 92 against Washington. Smith had also filled in at left tackle for two games in 2024, playing there in Weeks 5 and 6.
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.
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