The Dallas Cowboys may have tipped their hand regarding one of the biggest decisions they’ll make all year
Dallas Cowboys OC Klayton Adams provided some insight into team’s plans at the offensive line.
Offensive lineman Tyler Smith made things very clear to the Dallas Cowboys near the end of the 2025 season: He was willing to make switch from left guard (where he’s an All-Pro) to left tackle, but conditions must be met.
Firstly, Smith suggested financial adjustments must be made, noting he’s currently paid as a guard. Additionally, he pushed the coaching staff to give him an answer ahead of his offseason prep. At the Pro Bowl, he indicated the Cowboys hadn’t let him know a change was coming. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Smith was a guard for now.
Even still, with serious question marks at both offensive tackle spots, the future remains uncertain. But in an interview with 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams appeared to tip the team’s hand regarding Smith.
Klayton Adams tips Cowboys’ hand
Adams, who was tasked with overhauling the Cowboys’ run game in 2025, doesn’t sound like someone eager to kick Smith to left tackle.
“I know this, when we have those three inside guys (Smith, C Cooper Beebe, RG Tyler Booker) playing together, it’s one of our greatest strengths,” Adams said on live radio. “So do we kind of want to soften one of the things we’re really good at to try to make up at another position? I think in an ideal world, no.”
Though Adams acknowledged the Cowboys also look at things in terms of how to get the “best five” offensive linemen on the field, him pointing out the core OL as one of the team’s biggest strengths is very telling.
They have three bullies inside that dictate the run game, Smith being the best of the three. Dallas doesn’t want to lose that shortly after extending RB Javonte Williams to a three-year deal.
And when talking about improving the offensive tackle room, instead of daydreaming about playing Smith at LT, Adams appeared to preach patience regarding former first-round draft pick Tyler Guyton.
Confidence in Tyler Guyton
Adams admitted Guyton has been frustrated with missing playing time due to injury, which has kept him from finding a true rhythm. Upon his initial return from a training camp injury, Adams noted Guyton was “doing some good things” and “flashing.”
But the most revealing comment about how he views the Cowboys OL situation was all about the timing of evaluating Guyton. While many fans are ready to turn the page, Adams (an OL coach before arriving at Dallas) isn’t.
“I generally use this metric in my mind, and I believe it,” Adams said. “You got to get these young players through start 20-25. Then you start seeing those guys kind of self-monitor and see some of their own things they need to fix or be able to help themselves a little bit. You get through that number and now you start seeing a player that’s going to improve from coaching and also from self awareness.”
Guyton’s starts through two years in the NFL? Exactly 21.
It sure sounds like Adams and Co. are willing to bet on Guyton’s Year 3 in the league. Such a decision would naturally keep Smith inside.
This will be a major decision
Though offseason discussions have mostly focused on the Cowboys needing to fix the defense, one thing that cost the offense was poor play in the trenches. At times, pass protection was awful for Dak Prescott and run blocking by the tackles was inconsistent. Getting the OL combination right will be crucial.
The task gets even more difficult when looking at Terence Steele’s struggles at right tackle. Finding a replacement at that spot is a likely path for the Cowboys.
On the left side, betting on Guyton and Smith to stay where they are is beginning to look like the direction they’re leaning toward.
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