The Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer revealed that the left tackle position is the offense's biggest question mark.

During the Cowboys' June 4 OTA media session, Schottenheimer said left tackle is open for battle, with offensive lineman Tyler Guyton competing against Nate Thomas for the starter position. 

“Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer says that Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas are competing right now to start at left tackle,” Nick Harris, Cowboys reporter of the Star-Telegram, shared via X post.

Guyton was selected by the Cowboys in the first round (No. 29) in the 2024 NFL Draft as a potential starter in the place of Tyron Smith after he left in free agency.

He started as a backup behind Chuma Edoga and played as a starter for 11 games in 2024. He missed the final two games of 2024 and the training camp of 2025 because of knee and shoulder injuries. 

Guyton started 10 games last season but suffered an ankle injury in the last three games of the 2025 season. 

Schottenheimer believes this battle will bring the best out of the two players, especially with Tyler struggling to be a starter, according to Patrik Walker of dallascowboys.com.

"We're going to make Tyler earn it," Schottenheimer said during the OTA media session on June 4. "Tyler and Nate Thomas right now are competing to start at left tackle. Why? Because we think that's going to get the best out of Tyler Guyton. And the best out of Nate Thomas."

The Cowboys drafted offensive lineman Drew Shelton (No. 112) in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he is considered a swing tackle option.

Schottenheimer believes both his health and improvement in performance go hand in hand, as consistency is Guyton’s major issue every season.

With Tyler Guyton yet to meet the expectations of the team and Nate Thomas still developing, the Cowboys' options to protect quarterback Dak Prescott's blindside remain a concern.

Would a Return to Right Tackle Benefit Tyler Guyton?

Sean Deveney of Heavy.com suggests Guyton be moved to right tackle, the position where he played in college at Oklahoma.

Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams discussed such an alternative option for Guyton during the February draft combine. But also added that the team was not considering the shift then.

“The most important thing for a young player, specifically talking about Tyler Guyton, is you’ve got to get out there, and you’ve got to play,” Adams said. “That’s the part I know that he’s been the most frustrated with. ... So he’s just been a little bit unlucky in that way."

He also believes that, as Guyton has 21 starts, he is in the range of recording 20-25 starts, where young players often discover themselves and 'modernize the game on their own.'

For now, the Cowboys appear committed to giving Guyton more time to develop before considering a position change.

Who do you think will be the Cowboys' left tackle for the 2026 season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Rudra Dubey