What’s Next? Addressing Cowboys’ Questions at Offensive Tackle
The Dallas Cowboys, a franchise historically associated with success in the NFL, currently find themselves grappling with one of the most pressing and unresolved issues on their roster heading into the 2025 season: offensive tackle. While the team has long been recognized for its offensive line prowess, the position of offensive tackle, once a strength, is now a potential weak spot. With questions surrounding the long-term viability of certain players and the health of others, the Cowboys are left to navigate the uncertainty surrounding this key position on the offensive line.
The offensive line is often referred to as the backbone of a successful NFL offense. It is the unit responsible for protecting the quarterback, creating running lanes for the ball carriers, and allowing the offense to function at a high level. For the Cowboys, the importance of a strong offensive line cannot be overstated. Over the years, Dallas has built its identity around a dominant front five, providing protection for quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and paving the way for dynamic playmakers such as Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. However, as the team moves into the 2025 season, questions abound about the future of the Cowboys’ offensive tackle position.
In this article, we will delve into the current state of the Cowboys’ offensive tackle situation, examine the challenges they face, and explore potential solutions that could secure the position for years to come.
The Current State of the Cowboys’ Offensive Tackle Position
At the start of the 2024 season, the Dallas Cowboys had a familiar duo manning the starting offensive tackle spots: Tyron Smith at left tackle and Terence Steele at right tackle. While this pairing has been a fixture for the Cowboys over the past several seasons, both players come with significant questions and concerns heading into the future.
Tyron Smith’s Decline and Injury History
Tyron Smith, the long-time anchor of the Cowboys’ offensive line, has been a staple for the team since being drafted in 2011. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Smith was once considered one of the premier left tackles in the league and one of the foundational pieces of the Cowboys’ offensive success. However, injuries have started to take their toll on Smith in recent years.
Smith has battled various injuries, most notably to his back, which has led to missed games and questions about his durability moving forward. In 2022, Smith underwent surgery to address a torn left hamstring, and in 2023, he dealt with ankle and neck injuries that sidelined him for multiple games. His declining health has raised concerns about how much longer he can perform at a high level, as his ability to protect Prescott’s blindside has become more unpredictable.
As of 2024, Smith remains a key piece of the Cowboys’ offensive line when healthy, but his injury history means that the team can no longer rely on him as an ironclad option at left tackle. The question on everyone’s mind is: how much longer can Smith continue to perform at an elite level before his body ultimately gives out? The Cowboys will need to make decisions soon regarding Smith’s future and whether they need to seek an eventual replacement for the aging tackle.
Terence Steele’s Consistency and Development
On the right side of the line, Terence Steele has emerged as a promising player after going undrafted in 2020. Steele, who initially filled in for an injured La’el Collins in 2021, has proven to be a reliable and competent right tackle for the Cowboys. While not yet at the level of elite tackles in the league, Steele has shown steady improvement, earning a starting role and solidifying his place as the team’s right tackle.
However, Steele has not been immune to injury problems. In 2023, he suffered a torn ACL, which ended his season prematurely and left a significant hole in the Cowboys’ offensive line. Although Steele has made a solid recovery, the uncertainty surrounding his post-injury performance remains a key point of concern. Will Steele be able to regain his previous form and continue to develop into a reliable, long-term option at right tackle? Or will his recovery process present further challenges for the Cowboys’ offensive line depth?
Given Steele’s potential, he remains an important part of the Cowboys’ future on the offensive line, but his injury history makes it difficult for the team to fully commit to him as a long-term solution at right tackle. This uncertainty, combined with Smith’s declining health, has put the Cowboys in a precarious position heading into the 2025 season.
Challenges for the Cowboys in Addressing Offensive Tackle
The Cowboys face several challenges as they look to solidify their offensive tackle position moving forward. First and foremost, the team is dealing with the uncertainty surrounding two of their primary offensive tackles—Tyron Smith and Terence Steele. Both players have health concerns, which makes it difficult for the Cowboys to feel confident about their tackle spots in the long term.
Secondly, finding quality replacements for aging and injury-prone players in the NFL is not an easy task. The Cowboys will need to balance the need for stability with the necessity of maintaining a high level of performance from their offensive tackles. The team’s ability to identify the right talent, whether through the draft, free agency, or internal development, will be critical to their long-term success.
Potential Solutions for the Cowboys at Offensive Tackle
As the Cowboys head into the 2025 season, the team must evaluate its options for addressing the offensive tackle position. Whether the Cowboys choose to draft a future star or make a splash in free agency, several avenues exist for improving the tackle position. Below are some of the potential solutions the Cowboys could explore.
1. Drafting a Future Franchise Left Tackle
One of the most logical ways the Cowboys could address the left tackle position is by drafting a highly touted prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft. The 2025 draft class is expected to have a number of talented offensive tackles, and the Cowboys could use one of their early-round picks to select a player who could eventually step into a starting role.
A top-tier left tackle would provide the Cowboys with an immediate upgrade at the position and would give the team a long-term solution for Prescott’s protection. Players like Joe Alt from Notre Dame or Olumuyiwa Fashanu from Penn State could be candidates if the Cowboys are looking to invest heavily in a future franchise left tackle.
Drafting a young, talented offensive tackle would allow the Cowboys to move on from the uncertainty surrounding Tyron Smith’s health while providing stability for the offensive line for years to come. If the Cowboys can find a developmental prospect who can step in early and contribute, it could ultimately solve their long-term tackle issue.
2. Signing a Veteran Free Agent
If the Cowboys decide they need to address their tackle situation immediately, they could explore the free-agent market for experienced offensive tackles who can step in and start right away. While the free-agent market for offensive tackles can be limited, there are often valuable players available who can provide a short-term solution and give the team stability.
One potential option could be Mike McGlinchey, who was a highly regarded tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. McGlinchey could provide immediate help on either side of the line and give the Cowboys a veteran presence to stabilize the position, especially if they are uncertain about Steele’s recovery from his torn ACL. Another potential option could be George Fant, who has experience at both tackle positions and could provide depth and competition for the starting spots.
While signing a veteran free agent may not provide the long-term solution the Cowboys desire, it could buy them time while they continue to develop young talent and evaluate their options.
3. Developing Depth Through Internal Development
Another possible solution for the Cowboys is to develop depth through their existing roster. With players like Tyler Smith, a promising young guard, already a part of the team, the Cowboys could look at reshuffling their offensive line. Tyler Smith showed significant promise in his rookie year and could potentially be moved to tackle if the Cowboys need to replace either Smith or Steele.
Additionally, Matt Waletzko, a 2022 draft pick, has the physical tools to be developed into a long-term tackle option for the team. While Waletzko has not seen much action thus far, his potential could provide the Cowboys with another avenue to explore as they attempt to build a more stable offensive line.
Developing depth within the organization would allow the Cowboys to have more flexibility as they navigate the challenges of both aging players and injuries. While this strategy may take time, it could ultimately be a cost-effective way to address the tackle position in the future.
4. Maintaining Tyron Smith in a Reduced Role
If Tyron Smith remains a part of the Cowboys’ roster in 2025, the team may have to consider a reduced role for him to preserve his health and prolong his career. While Smith has been a fixture at left tackle for over a decade, the Cowboys could explore a situation where he is used more selectively, perhaps rotating in for certain games or focusing on fewer snaps throughout the season. This would allow the team to maintain his veteran presence without overburdening him physically, especially given his injury history.
In this scenario, the Cowboys would likely need to find a more durable and consistent option to start at left tackle, with Smith providing depth and guidance to a younger player. This option could be particularly viable if the Cowboys draft or sign a younger tackle who can eventually take over as the starter while benefiting from Smith’s leadership.
Conclusion
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to their offensive tackle position. With both Tyron Smith and Terence Steele facing uncertainty due to injury history and aging, the team must act quickly to address the future of the position. Whether they invest in a future franchise left tackle through the draft, sign a veteran free agent, or develop internal depth, the Cowboys’ ability to stabilize the offensive line will be crucial to the success of their offense moving forward.
The offensive tackle position is one of the most important on the football field, and the Cowboys must act wisely to ensure that their offensive line remains a strength, not a weakness, in the years to come. The decisions made in the coming months will help shape the team’s success and impact the development of Dak Prescott and the rest of the offense. The time to act is now, and the Cowboys have several viable options to ensure that their offensive line is solidified for the future.
