Cowboys plan to convey again Tyron Smith; what might that imply for offensive line?

Offensive-line depth is essential, and it is onerous to come back by — because the Cowboys have discovered in excruciating style these previous couple of years. Perhaps it should not be stunning, then, to study that they will do what’s essential to hold theirs in place for 2023.

“The biggest takeaway from our meetings was you can’t have enough of these guys,” Cowboys chief working officer Stephen Jones advised reporters Tuesday on the NFL Combine.

Specifically at offensive deal with, the Cowboys stretched their depth to its very restrict final season. Longtime left deal with Tyron Smith injured his knee on the final day of coaching camp and was sidelined till December. Right as Smith returned to the sector, proper deal with Terence Steele suffered a torn ACL on Dec. 11, throwing the lineup into disarray.

By the time the season was over, rookie guard Tyler Smith had performed left deal with and left guard, with Tyron Smith flopping to proper deal with and emergency veteran signing Jason Peters filling in the place wanted.

That saga does not even embrace Tyron Smith’s laundry listing of different accidents, which have sidelined him from 66% of the Cowboys’ video games the final three years.

Those struggles with availability are the basis of the hypothesis concerning the elder Smith’s future. Playing out the ultimate years of the eight-year extension he signed all the best way again in 2014, Smith is scheduled to make $13.6 million and rely $17.6 million in opposition to the wage cap in 2023.

When Smith is wholesome, that is a cut price. It’s simply that the Cowboys have not been capable of rely on his well being for fairly a while. It speaks to his talent degree that the Cowboys’ entrance workplace continues to be prepared to hold that cap cost — although Jones acknowledged that the price of the contract might be re-visited within the coming weeks. “We can always do reworks and things of that nature,” he stated. “That could come up with him … but right now, we’re comfortable where we are.”

Obviously, Smith must be open to a brand new deal, however a reworked contract would give the workforce extra cap area heading into free company. Just final yr, the entrance workplace agreed to a reworked take care of DeMarcus Lawrence that gave the Pro Bowl cross rusher extra ensures whereas decreasing his cap determine. Perhaps one thing comparable is in Smith’s future, although it is fascinating to notice that Jones stated he is comfy with the present scenario. 

At the very least, the remainder of the puzzle is pretty simple, to not point out inexpensive. Originally an undrafted free agent, Steele is about to be a restricted free agent. In order to maintain him in place for an additional yr, the Cowboys want solely to use a first- or second-round tender on him which might lock him in on both a $4 million or $6 million contract. If that wasn’t ok information, Jones acknowledged Tuesday that the 25-year-old is on observe for the 2023 season.

“He’s doing unbelievable with his rehab,” Jones advised reporters. “He’s done as well as anybody that we’ve ever had in terms of his rehab and his diligence. We don’t expect any hiccups there.”

Peters signed final September for roughly $2 million. With Peters getting into his nineteenth NFL season, it appears like a secure wager the Cowboys will be capable of retain him in the event that they need to — assuming he desires to play one other season.

If something, the Cowboys’ greatest problem may be determining what to do with some many succesful choices. Just final yr, Tyler Smith was drafted to be the Cowboys’ left deal with of the longer term, however he seems an terrible lot just like the left deal with of the current, given how effectively he dealt with the job final yr. Tyron Smith has constructed a Hall of Fame resume at left deal with, however the Cowboys could now be confronted with a selection between the veteran and the protégé. The one given at this level appears to be that Steele primarily performs on the correct aspect.

Does it make extra sense to kick Tyler Smith inside to left guard, permitting Tyron Smith to renew left deal with duties? Or may Tyron accept a swing deal with position, flipping between the left and proper aspect as wanted?

Those are issues for the spring and summer season. But, because the Cowboys have discovered over time, they’re good issues to have.

David Helman covers the Dallas Cowboys for FOX Sports. He beforehand spent 9 seasons masking the Cowboys for the workforce’s official web site. In 2018, he received a regional Emmy for his position in producing “Dak Prescott: A Family Reunion” concerning the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter at @davidhelman_.

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