The Dallas Cowboys' offense played a huge role in their 2025 success, and a large part of that was due to their offensive line play. The interior featuring Tyler Booker, Cooper Bebee, and Tyler Smith were maulers, but the Cowboys threw Smith at left tackle for the last three weeks of the season as Tyler Guyton was dealing with a high ankle sprain.
There was discourse that Smith would be moved out to left tackle in 2026, but after offensive coordinator Klayton Adams' latest comments, that doesn't seem to be the case, which would be a win for Guyton.
Klayton Adams’ Comments Bode Well for Tyler Guyton
"I don’t know exactly what the answer is for the future. (But) I know this: when we have those three inside guys (Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker) playing together, it’s one of our greatest strengths," Adams said, via The Athletic's Jon Machota. "So do we kinda want to soften one of the things we’re really good at to try to make up at another position? I think in an ideal world, no."
Adams then discussed Guyton and how he had an up-and-down campaign in 2025 due to injuries.
"That’s one of the things that I know Tyler Guyton has been frustrated with is that he had a great offseason, he’s starting training camp good, and then he’s on the shelf for a little bit. And then he comes back, and he’s doing some good things, and he’s flashing, and then he’s on the shelf for a little bit."Klayton Adams, Cowboys OC
Last season didn't go as planned for Guyton, as he landed on injured reserve in December due to an ankle sprain. Meanwhile, during training camp, he suffered a bone fracture in his knee that forced him to miss several weeks of camp.
The missed time contributed to Guyton's inability to be as productive as Dallas wanted. And that was the second straight campaign where he was underwhelming for this team. And the numbers back it up, per Pro Football Focus.
Stats | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
Overall | 49.4 (74th among 81 graded tackles) | rall Grade: 57.8 (70th among 89 graded tackles) |
Pass-Blocking Grade | 60.2 (61st among 81 graded tackles) | 50.4 (81st among 89 graded tackles) |
Run-Blocking Grade | 51.3 (72nd among 81 graded tackles) | 64.9 (46th among 89 graded tackles) |
Penalties | 18 | 7 |
Total Pressures Allowed | 26 | 31 |
Sacks Allowed | 6 | 2 |
While Guyton improved in certain areas in 2025, it wasn't at the level expected for a first-round pick. Adams' comments show they still have faith in him, but the luck could run out if he doesn't improve next season.
Smith played fairly well at tackle, yet he prefers to stay at guard and expressed that sentiment at the end of the 2025 season.
"I mean, bro, like, I'm an All-Pro guard," Smith said, per ESPN's Todd Archer. "You feel me? That's the simple truth, just looking at stuff purely off of facts. So we'll see what happens. We'll have those conversations and kind of see where everybody is at."
It appears that Dallas will look to keep him there, but all the attention shifts over to Guyton. After two straight seasons where he underachieved, the time is now for him to step it up. If he fails to elevate his game in 2026, the bust label will be thrown around.
To avoid that, the Oklahoma product must show growth, and it looks like he'll get one last chance to do so.