Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton is preparing for a key battle to secure the starter position on the offensive line. With training camp approaching, one recalls the vote of confidence offensive coordinator Klayton Adams gave Guyton in June.

Adams expressed confidence in Guyton’s improvement during the offseason, as he is set to compete with former 2024 seventh-round pick Nate Thomas for the starting role at the tackle position. 

"In regards to the things that he's supposed to be doing in the offseason, what he looks like, what his attitude is, how he answers questions, I think he's had an outstanding offseason,” Adams said, per an X post by Cowboys Network. “I'm very excited for him to compete, and for us and him to have the opportunity for him to stay out there and play and learn.

According to the Cowboys Network’s June 17 X post, Adams said that the left tackle battle could be an opportunity to help both Guyton and Thomas bring the best out of each other and learn through the process. 

The 2024 first-round pick has struggled to establish consistency due to recurring injuries affecting his availability. He played only 25 of a possible 34 regular-season games since his rookie season.

Guyton missed the final two games of the 2024 season and 2025 training camp due to knee and shoulder injuries, starting only 11 games in 2024.

He struggled with injuries again in 2025, starting just 10 games before suffering from an ankle injury that sidelined him for three games.

However, Adams believes the LT has made progress this offseason and has a real chance at snagging the starting position.

Apart from Nate Thomas, the Cowboys also have insurance at LT with guard Tyler Smith (who replaced Guyton in 2025 for three games) and rookie Drew Shelton.

But the team believes the battle against Thomas could push Guyton to prove himself as a legitimate starter.

Klayton Adams reveals the mentality Cowboys' young linemen need to succeed

During an episode of the Athletic Football Show with Robert Mays, Cowboys OC Adams stated that the Cowboys' young offensive linemen unit must follow a "confidence, consistency and violence" approach while playing as primary protectors of the quarterback.

"Confidence, consistency, and violence," Adams said on the Athletic Football Show on July 24. "That's where it starts with offensive linemen is like you're going to get beat. There's going to be a whole bunch of plays. You're going against guys that are really good. You're going to get beat at some point."

Adams believes that taking a "drop-back pass set for a tackle" is one of the most difficult things in all of sports, as he compared it to a backpedal for a defensive back.

As Guyton prepares for another season protecting quarterback Dak Prescott's blind side, Adams believes success will come from embracing the difficulty of the position and refining the fundamentals one snap at a time.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit