Most of the attention on the offensive line this offseason has been on the new starters at left tackle and center . But the real focus should be on right tackle Terence Steele.
Tyler Guyton – the Cowboys first round pick in April – is expected to be the starting left tackle.
As for the starting center, it could be third round pick, Cooper Beebe.
Or, Beebe could start out as a backup center and guard with third-year veteran Brock Hoffman starting at center. Training camp will sort all that out.
But that isn't the most important area of concern on this line.
Because Steele will play the biggest role in which five players start on the line at the beginning – and at the end – of the 2024 season.
An Undrafted Free Agent
In 2020, Steele went undrafted out of Texas Tech. Dallas singed him to a three-year deal for just under $2.3 million.
Over his first three seasons, he seemed to have been a steal (pardon the pun).
He was an instant starter on the line opposite Tyron Smith. He missed just one game out of his first 46 games during his first three seasons.
He even caught a touchdown pass in a 56-14 rout over Washington at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 26, 2021.
The Cowboys appeared to have their right tackle for the future.
Knee Injury Sidelines Steele
Then came a Week 14 game against the Houston Texans on Dec. 11, 2022, at AT&T Stadium.
Steele was rolled up on from behind during the second quarter. He suffered a torn ACL on the play that ended his season.
Steele returned to the field last year as the starting right tackle for the Cowboys.
And he did so with a massive contract extension that some questioned given his injury. Steele signed a 5-year, $82.5 million contract.
He made a little over $4 million in 2023.
But he struggled at times, clearly not 100% back from the injury.
However, he did play the most snaps in a season in his career – 1,177 on offense and another 85 on special teams. So while not at his very best, he was out there playing.
He'll have one more offseason of recovery and preparation under his belt when he arrives in Oxnard at the end of the month.
Steele is set to make $11 million this year and $17 million in 2025.
If he returns to pre-injury form, it will help cover for any growing pains that potentially having two rookies starting will bring.
It will also validate the contract he signed. If not?
If Steele Falters
If Steele's play does not improve – or if he regresses – it will force a major shakeup on the line.
The most likely result would be moving Tyler Smith to right tackle from left guard.
Or possibly Smith goes to left tackle and Guyton moves over to right guard where he played at Oklahoma.
Beebe would fill Smith vacated guard position. Hoffman would be at center.
The Cowboys' perennial Pro Bowl right guard, Zack Martin, would be the only player not caught up in the game of musical line positions.
How that line combination would gel is unknown. If it does, the Cowboys would survive it. If it doesn't?
At least they'll get an earlier pick in the first round in 2025.
Steele's Assignment In 2024
Stay healthy, first and foremost.
Some pictures and videos from the offseason seem to bear out that Steele is in good shape. He also looks like he's working to shore up where he struggled last year.
In 2023, then center Tyler Biadasz also had his struggles in both pass protection and run blocking.
This forced Martin to look inside in case he needed to help. That left Steele by himself on an island.
Hopefully, he won't need the help in 2024, but he's more likely to get it from Martin this year if Beebe or Hoffman elevate the center play.
Also, with the rookie at left tackle, opposing teams are going to attack him with their best pass rushers. Last year, Steele drew those players.
As long as he's 100% physically, he should have a much better year.
The Cowboys' hopes for 2024 may just be riding on it.
