Former Dallas Cowboys first-round pick is fighting for his job this offseason
By most measures, the 2025 version of the Dallas Cowboys’ offense was elite.
The unit finished second in the NFL in yards per game, fifth in points per game, 10th in third-down conversion rate, second in passing yards per game and eighth in rushing yards per game. Still, though, there were some glaring issues.
Among them was the problem faced at left tackle, as second-year first-round pick Tyler Guyton sprained his knee in training camp, made it back in time for the season opener, but eventually dealt with more injuries during a roller-coaster season on the field in terms of performance.
Throughout the season, quarterback Dak Prescott was pressured by opposing defenders 142 times — the sixth-most of any quarterback across the league. Over a third of those pressures came from the left tackle position, whether it was Guyton (31 pressures allowed), Nate Thomas (28) or Tyler Smith (five) playing the position.
While Guyton was drafted in 2024 to be the long-term solution at the position, it hasn’t quite been that for the Oklahoma product through two seasons. Now, heading into his third year, he is officially fighting for his starting job.
“We’re going to make Tyler earn it,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Thursday. “Tyler and Nate Thomas right now are competing to start at left tackle. Why? Because we think that that’s going to get the best out of Tyler Guyton and the best out of Nate Thomas.”
The offseason program won’t truly determine a position battle, but the competition that awaits for the left tackle spot in Oxnard, California, during training camp could be heated. If anyone understands that, it’s Guyton himself.
“Come to work each day and get better to prepare myself for the next day,” Guyton said about his mindset around the competition. “I feel like coming into the league, I had a lot to learn, and I’ve learned stuff. I’ve gotten stronger, I’ve gotten better at football. I’m learning more techniques and things like that. It’s just a learning process, and I’ll continue to invest into next season.”
“What I will say is, Tyler understands the importance of this year,” Schottenheimer said. “Why? Because it’s the next year ... Tyler’s biggest thing is the consistency. He’s very talented, he’s maybe one of the most athletic big men I’ve ever been around with his ability to kick-slide, punch, move, run. But there’s got to be more consistency, and that’s been the challenge. That’s what he’s been working extremely hard on.”
The word “consistency” has been used a lot by Schottenheimer since he was hired as head coach in January 2025. When a player lacks in that department, he typically gets a call-out by his head coach. Guyton is the latest to attack that constructive criticism.
“I think consistency is a whole thing,” Guyton said. “You can’t just be consistent in one thing. It’s a lifestyle. Going to sleep on time has to be consistent, eating consistent, how much work you put in. Everything has to be consistent. Your life has to revolve around consistency.”
Guyton understands the battle ahead of him, but he seems focused on doing what he has to do without focusing too much on outside factors. Schottenheimer did commend Guyton for how he’s attacked the offseason, going as far as to say that he was one of two players in the building getting extra work in one Saturday when Schottenheimer swung by the facility to grab a few things.
“It’s been good,” Guyton said about the offseason. “It’s my second time around going into an offseason, so I feel like I was able to attack the things that I needed to and be better. I had a good offseason.”
“Come to work every day and get better. There’s competition everywhere on the team. It’s a football thing. Friendly competition brings the best out of people.”
This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 11:09 AM.
