The Dallas Cowboys might still be a few steps away from reaching Super Bowl glory, but they have something to build off of after an electric 2025 season. If you look at this team from just the right angle (or any angle that blocks out the defense), you can convince yourself that it’s ready to truly compete.
The strength of the interior offensive line is at the heart of the team’s success. Primarily, veteran guard Tyler Smith has solidified himself as one of the best interior linemen in football. He’s a major part of why the offense was so successful last season.
As the Cowboys struggle to find consistency at their tackle spots, some have speculated about a potential move to the outside for Smith. He played tackle in college, so it’s reasonable to believe he could make the transition smoothly.
Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams doesn’t want that to happen. He sees Smith staying at left guard for the Cowboys moving forward.
"“I don’t know exactly what the answer is for the future," Adams told 105.3 The Fan. "(But) I know this, when we have those three inside guys (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.”
Klayton Adams hopes the Dallas Cowboys can keep Tyler Smith at guard
Adams didn’t quite slam the door shut on the idea of Smith moving to tackle. But it’s clearly not his top choice.
Adams views the interior of the offensive line as one of the team’s biggest strengths. He’s right. Smith, Cooper Beebe, and Tyler Booker were the driving force in the improvements Dallas saw in rushing efficiency last season.
The 43-year-old used the strengths of those players to fashion a downhill running attack that consistently put defenses on their heels, and the results speak for themselves, as the Cowboys ranked eighth in rushing EPA (-0.008) and seventh in rushing success rate (44 percent), per RBSDM.
Moving Smith to a new position might solve one problem, but it would create another. The Cowboys would have to re-work their blocking scheme, potentially losing some of the potency that made the offense so special last season.
Of course, finding a quality starter at offensive tackle is easier said than done. As he did in 2025, Smith may need to play tackle at times. Adams isn’t giving up on Tyler Guyton, but the team may have to replace Terrence Steele soon.
Hopefully, they can do so without having to move Smith from his best position.