In the grander scheme of things, there’s not a whole lot to worry about as it pertains to the Dallas Cowboys offense. After re-signing running back Javonte Williams to a long-term contract and placing the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, the Cowboys will once again run it back with their entire starting offense from a season ago in 2026.
With the band back together, we can assume they will be one of the best offensive units in the entire league. Opposing defensive coordinators will have
a year’s worth of film to study Brian Schottenheimer’s play-calling, but on the flipside Dallas will be in the same system/personnel for the second year in a row. Still, the Cowboys should have the advantage.
Add it all up, it’s safe to say Dak Prescott and Company should give us little to worry about heading into training camp. There are, of course, a few question marks that remain unanswered, but most of those are the depth at certain positions related. The biggest remaining question though is the guy that protects Prescott’s blindside at left tackle.
So far, prior to training camp, it’s been said (although we’re not sure if we believe it) that the left tackle position is up for grabs and there is an open competition between former first-round pick Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas. Both tackles are entering Year 3 with the Cowboys, and both have struggled with consistency and nagging injuries that have stunted their development.
The Cowboys brass are hoping Tyler Guyton will finally put things together and emerge as their surefire blindside protector. The 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has shown glimpses he can be a starting caliber LT in the league, but his consistency and injury history is a pretty significant concern right now. A strong showing in training camp could change that.
If for whatever reason Guyton struggles once again, the Cowboys would have to turn to fellow second-year OT Nate Thomas. He was willing but green when needed as both a starter and backup, showing he’s got potential. He must prove he’s capable of handling the full-time job in training camp.
Now, if for whatever reason neither Guyton nor Thomas earn the coaching staff’s trust as the starter at LT, a reshuffling of the offensive line may occur, moving All-Pro guard Tyler Smith back outside with T.J. Bass stepping in at LG. That’s definitely not ideal, but something the Cowboys experimented with at the end of the 2025 season last year.
There is one last option and it’s definitely the least desirable of them all, throwing the rookie Drew Shelton to the wolves. This would be a last resort option for the Cowboys more than likely, unless Shelton somehow comes out of training camp/preseason as the unquestioned best player at the position. That seems highly unlikely though.
That’s currently how the depth of the LT position shakes out. Someone will hopefully prove themselves as the unquestioned starter and remain so for the entire 2026 NFL season. That’s why all eyes should be on this position battle throughout training camp and preseason.
