The success of the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 will depend on this one thing
After a disappointing 7-10 campaign in 2024, the Dallas Cowboys have spent the offseason retooling and rebuilding the organization from the coaching staff to the roster in hopes of getting back into the playoffs in 2025 after their first absence from postseason play since 2020.
In order to do so, a lot of things will need to go right. After missing the backhalf of the season last year, quarterback Dak Prescott will need to stay healthy. After finishing with the fifth-worst total defense in 2024, the unit led by new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will need to see dramatic improvement. In a brutal late-season stretch, they will need to weather the storm of playing six consecutive playoff teams from a year ago. The list could go on.
But when you combine the root of the major problems from last season with what needs to go right this upcoming season, it’s hard to argue that any one thing will be more vital to the Cowboys’ success in 2025 than the offensive line unit.
The changing of the guard has officially ensued when it comes to the veteran leaders in the offensive line room, as the offseason saw the retirements of perennial Pro Bowlers Tyron Smith and Zack Martin. In their place, young first-round picks Tyler Guyton and Tyler Booker will look to fill the huge vacant shoes (both literally and figuratively).
Struggles well documented
Guyton struggled as a rookie. Finishing second across all players in the NFL in penalties (14) and having one of the lowest PFF grades of all tackles in the league (49.4 ranked 115th out of 140) created a major hole on the left side that Prescott has not been used to having in his nine-year career. Improvement from the 2024 first-round pick out of Oklahoma isn’t preferred in 2025, it’s a requirement.
“Guyton’s made a huge step,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said in the offseason. “It’s in the mentals. It’s in his approach. It’s in his preparation. It’s in the way that he’s taking care of his body, working out and practicing. Not going to be surprised with the jump that he makes this year because I’ve watched every step in the process that he’s put into this.”
Fewer questions, if any at all, exist about the man to Guyton’s right at left guard, Tyler Smith. After back-to-back Pro Bowl nods, Smith is well on his way to becoming the next great offensive lineman in a long list of them in the Cowboys’ 65-year history.
At center, a big rookie season from 2024 third-round pick Cooper Beebe has expectations high for his development going into year two. The Kansas State product allowed just three sacks in 16 games last season, but the next step will be improvement in leading the running game through the middle.
In fact, that goes for the entire unit. Along with protecting Prescott from another injury as he heads into year 10 in the NFL, the offensive line will be tasked with instilling life into a run game that ranked 27th in total rushing yards last season. With a hodgepodge group at running back featuring Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Jaydon Blue and others, success up front will be the biggest factor in determining if the run game comes back to life in 2025.
The unit will get a big assist from right guard Tyler Booker, who the Cowboys drafted with the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft out of Alabama. His experience paving running lanes for a mobile backfield in Tuscaloosa led by quarterback Jalen Milroe will allow him to hit the ground running as a rookie in the NFL.
While he’s the most seasoned veteran on the offensive line, another wild card up front is right tackle Terence Steele. After tearing his ACL in 2022, Steele has allowed 17 sacks and 97 quarterback pressures in two seasons after allowing just 12 sacks and 99 pressures in his first three seasons. Still, confidence remains high in Steele returning to his pre-injury form.
“We think a lot of Steele,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said this offseason.
An improved Guyton, a comfortable Steele and a proven upgrade at right guard in Booker could be the difference between the Cowboys making the playoffs in 2025 and not.
Simply put, Prescott has to stay healthy and the Cowboys have to be able to effectively run the ball. Where do those two things start?
Up front.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 2:57 PM.
