The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of reasons to regret the $82.5 million contract they handed to starting right tackle Terence Steele. He hasn't come close to living up to his deal, with the biggest issues coming in pass protection, where he's played to an abysmal 56.4 grade on Pro Football Focus. This leaves every reason for the Cowboys to consider making a change, something that head coach Brian Schottenheimer has signaled by opening up a competition.
On Thursday, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reported that Schottenheimer has opened up a competition at the right tackle spot, leaving Steele's future up in the air. Although the Cowboys' head coach didn't outright name who will be competing, it'd be a surprise if anyone but Nate Thomas was at the front of the line. The young tackle has a chance not only to win a starting role but drastically change expectations of the position moving forward, including what happens next for Steele.
Nate Thomas Could Force Cowboys to Make a Terrence Steele Decision
If Thomas runs away with the competition, it is impossible to see the Cowboys not using it as an excuse to escape a regrettable contract. Dallas paid Steele a five-year $86.8 million deal that has an out in 2026, and it's hard to imagine the team not liking the amount of cash that would be freed up with a divorce, per Spotrac:
Method | 2026 Dead Cap Hit | 2026 Salary Cap Savings |
|---|---|---|
Pre-June 1 Cut | $9,375,000 | $8,750,000 |
Pre-June 1 Trade | $9,375,000 | $8,750,000 |
Post-June 1 Cut | $4,125,000 | $14,000,000 |
Post-June 1 Trade | $4,125,000 | $14,000,000 |
Moving on from Steele is a wise decision if Thomas is able to give your coaching staff and fan base confidence that you have found a better answer. Along with the fact that Steele has been struggling mightily is the need to open up more cap space, which could help the Cowboys find a way to pay star receiver George Pickens.
Saving cap space is incredibly important when you've already paid CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott and are looking to undergo a roster reset. While we are far away from being in a clear position of parting ways with Steele, the door is firmly ajar based on the poor level of play from the once reliable veteran, and a strong end-of-the-season performance from Thomas could blast the door off its hinges.
Now that Schottenheimer has opened up the RT competition, time will tell which competitor will emerge victorious by the end of the season. If Thomas were to be a surprise answer and play at a consistent level, Cowboys fans wouldn't complain, especially if Steele doesn't show any promise.
At the end of the day, the Cowboys need the best offensive line possible to protect Prescott. If that means coming to terms with an $82.5 million regret, so be it.