The Dallas Cowboys' training camp has laid bare one of the biggest questions on its offensive line. The left tackle position is far from settled, and the head coach has now confirmed that Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith remains on the table.

“Having to get some snaps at center,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer explained after being asked about Tyler Smith on July 27. “Because at the end of the day, we’re committed to winning and winning now, and we’re going to play the five best guys.”

Speaking from the training camp in Oxnard, California, Schottenheimer revealed that the decision is about maintaining roster flexibility.

Smith is very much in contention for the left guard position, with his LT training acting as a safety net if the primary tackle picks fail to step up, as Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News reported.

2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton will be headlining the competition, having appeared in 25 games in the last two seasons.

Backup Nate Thomas, who started 4 games last season, and fourth-round pick Drew Shelton (LT) will also stay in the mix.

Meanwhile, Smith has already proven himself for the spot. In his rookie season at left tackle, he logged over 1,000 snaps. Again, last season Smith started the final two games for the Cowboys at LT.

Despite such offensive versatility, the Dallas Cowboys may just prefer Tyler Smith as a guard over tackle, if the team's offensive coordinator is to be believed.

Cowboys OC believes Tyler Smith is more valuable inside

While the Dallas Cowboys want to spread their safety net wide, Offensive Coordinator Klayton Adams doesn't view the o-line in the same way. He is more concerned about the on-field chemistry and its long-term implications.

"When we have those three inside guys (Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker) playing together, it’s one of our greatest strengths. 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 explained.

Speaking further on 105.3 The Fan podcast, as transcribed by The Athletic's Jon Machota, Adams believes that last season was different. Guyton was plagued with an ankle injury, missing 7 games in 2025.

Adams further argued that with those worries now behind them, the team should focus on strengthening its tackle depth rather than fracturing one of the league's strongest interior offensive lines to fill one position.

Who's your pick for the left tackle position? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Proma Chatterjee

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote