The Dallas Cowboys' offense was one of the best in the league last season, and there's no reason to believe that can't be the case again in 2026. However, they still have to figure out one crucial position battle.
Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas might go toe-to-toe to be Dak Prescott's blindside protector for Week 1. The Cowboys have an above-average offensive line, but they still don't know what to make of the left tackle position.
As Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated pointed out, that has been a story to keep a close eye on through training camp. More than that, it might end up defining the Cowboys' entire season if they get it wrong:
"One of the biggest position battles in any camp is Tyler Guyton vs. Nate Thomas to be the Cowboys’ left tackle. If Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams can make that spot a strength, then the line can be the team’s foundation, and Dak Prescott will have everything he needs around him to have a career year," Breer wrote.
The Cowboys must find their starting left tackle before the season
On paper, this should be Tyler Guyton's job to lose. He's a former first-round pick, and while he's been in the league for a couple of years, he's pretty much a work in progress. The potential is there, but he's his own worst enemy.
Injuries, mental miscues, and pre-snap penalties have raised doubts about whether he can be the guy they need to protect Prescott's blindside. That said, he's much better than the alternatives, at least from a potential standpoint.
Guyton missed a couple of games during his rookie season, and penalties hindered his true potential. He was flagged 18 times as a rookie, though he showed signs of promise in pass protection when he could finally lock in.
Notably, there weren't many signs of improvement in his second year in the league. A knee injury cost him the entirety of training camp, and he wound up giving up 31 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Still, it's not like the Cowboys have many alternatives. Thomas will have multiple opportunities to keep him on his toes and show that he can also handle left tackle duties if he can't stay locked in and disciplined during training camp.
The Cowboys have the potential to lead the league in scoring and yards per game. Brian Schottenheimer brought out the best in Dak Prescott, and with a healthy Javonte Williams and an elite wide receiver corps, this team should be able to outscore most opposition.
Then again, dominating in the trenches will be paramount. Whoever wins that battle will dictate the tempo of the game, and this might be Guyton's final opportunity to live up to the expectations as a former first-round selection.
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