Having starter-grade talent in backup roles is a hallmark of successful teams. One spot where the 2026 Cowboys enjoy that is the interior offensive line, thanks to the work of fourth-year veteran T.J. Bass. In what may be his last year in Dallas, Bass provides exceptional depth on one of the team’s strongest units.
Background
Years in NFL: 3
Acquired by: UDFA (2023)
Bass worked as both a guard and tackle at Oregon, finishing up at left tackle as a senior. He entered the 2023 draft cycle with strong marks for
athleticism but concerns about his length and technique. Though some had him as high as a fifth-round grade as an NFL guard prospect, he wound up undrafted and signed with Dallas as a free agent.
He quickly impressed the Cowboys as a rookie, including allowing no pressures throughout the preseason. Bass accomplished the feat of making the initial 53-man roster, rare for UDFAs, and being active for all 17 games. He even started two, one at left guard and the other at right, when Tyler Smith and Zack Martin each had to miss time.
Bass has continued to be a primary guard backup ever since, starting three games in 2024 and five last season. Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL’s 30th-best guard overall in 2025, better than over half of the league’s starters. While he’s not an All-Pro like Smith or a rising one like Tyler Booker, Bass has set his own standard as a trusted backup who doesn’t create a liability for the offense when he plays.
This offseason, Bass’ rookie deal ended and left him as a restricted free agent. Fellow backup Brock Hoffman, who’s been similarly active in his role as a guard and center over the last few years, was in the same boat. The Cowboys elected to keep Bass, not tendering Hoffman and allowing him to rejoin Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh.
Contract Status
Years Left: 1
2026 Cap Hit: $5.77 million
Dallas all but assured Bass’ presence this year when they gave him the second-round RFA tender. He’s already 27 years old and plays what’s generally considered a less valuable position, so it was unlikely another team would surrender such premium draft capital. But after making less than $1 million in his last three seasons, the tender gave Bass a considerable raise for 2026 and could set him up for a more lucrative deal next spring.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup G/C
Roster Chance: 100%
Bass’ big raise shows he’s clearly part of Dallas’ plans this year. And he may have just become even more valuable with a season-ending neck injury to Matt Hennessy, the veteran signed to replace Hoffman as the backup center. Bass has worked at center in past offseasons, and was the first choice to take those reps when Hennessy went out during mini-camp.
With plenty of time before Week 1, the Cowboys will likely explore what other guards like Trevor Keegan and Chris Glaser could do as a center option. There are still some veteran free agents like Graham Glasgow and Ethan Pocic who they might look at before the start of camp. But if Bass can be the versatile primary backup to both guard and center, like Joe Looney used to be, Dallas could easily go that route as well.
The biggest question for Bass is a year away: will he get an offer that pulls him away from the Cowboys? A starting job probably isn’t opening up in 2027 with Smith, Booker, and Cooper Beebe all entrenched. Bass has shown enough to merit starting consideration elsewhere in the league, so we’ll see where his future lies. But for the present, he’s one of the best IOL backups in football and an asset for Dallas this season.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | S Justin Barron | C Cooper Beebe | G Tyler Booker | S Alijah Clark | DT Tommy Dunn | CB Cobie Durant | OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku | TE Princeton Fant | TE Jake Ferguson | WR Ryan Flournoy | C Matt Hennessy | S Malik Hooker | OLB James Houston | WR Jordan Hudson | LB Shemar James | G Trevor Keegan | CB Derion Kendrick | OLB Isaiah Land | S P.J. Locke | FB Hunter Luepke | RB Phil Mafah | QB Joe Milton III | WR Jonathan Mingo | CB Devin Moore | LB DeMarvion Overshown | TE DJ Rogers | TE Luke Schoonmaker | LS Trent Sieg | WR Anthony Smith | OT Terence Steele | CB Reddy Steward | OT Nate Thomas | DT Jay Toia | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling | OLB Tyrus Wheat | RB Javonte Williams | OLB Sam Williams | DT D.J. Withers | S Julius Wood
