A lot of folks scoffed when the Dallas Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer, but Year 1 was highly encouraging. Like any first-time head coach, he still has kinks to iron out, but between modernizing the offense, assembling an innovative staff, and leading men, he checks all the boxes.
While Schottenheimer is a players' coach, he also isn't afraid to hold players accountable. That was often questioned during the Mike McCarthy Era, but Schottenheimer calls it like it is.
He benched CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens for missing curfew and was candid about what Trevon Diggs and Jaydon Blue needed to improve on to see the field.
Now, Schottenheimer is taking the same approach with left tackle Tyler Guyton (h/t Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com).
"Tyler Guyton's got a chance to be an elite player, but he's got to take that next step and we have to help him take that next step . . . It starts with his footwork. Getting more comfortable, and getting more balanced at the point of attack. And then again, there's his hand usage. He's really a young, raw, left tackle."
Brian Schottenheimer puts Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton on notice
Schottenheimer also called 2026 "a big year" for Guyton.
The No. 29 overall pick in 2024, Guyton has yet to establish himself as the franchise's left tackle. Availability has been a big part of that, as he's played 25 of a possible 34 games in two seasons, including missing all of last year's training camp with a knee injury.
A developmental tackle, Guyton needs all the practice and game reps he can get. It’s imperative he stays healthy in 2026. Last year’s tape showed a starting-caliber left tackle, but the mental errors often came at the worst times and derailed drives.
Guyton played better than his grades from Pro Football Focus suggest, but they underline how much room for growth he still has. He allowed just two sacks, but posted a 50.0 pass-blocking grade after surrendering 31 pressures (3.1 per game), 23 hurries, and seven penalties.
That was an improvement from his rookie year. Among 53 tackles who logged at least 400 pass-blocking snaps, Guyton allowed the most penalties (12) and ranked 39th with six sacks allowed, 50th with a 60.2 pass-blocking grade, and 41st with a 96.0 pass-blocking efficiency.
Again, Guyton has shown flashes of a bookend left tackle. He's got the ideal frame and requisite quickness and power to keep any edge rusher in check. But he's also entering Year 3.
If he can't stay healthy and improve in the areas Schottenheimer laid out, the Cowboys may have to reevaluate left tackle next season. Consistency is a must from the position, and Guyton hasn't provided that thus far.