The cruel reality of a backup's life in the NFL, especially on the offensive line, is that people are rarely thrilled to see you on the field. T.J. Bass and his family are probably the only people excited that he's about to start in the Cowboys' season opener.
But Tyler Smith's injury has put a spotlight on Dallas' premium reserve guard, and placed a potentially career-changing opportunity in front of him.
There was a high chance T.J. Bass would start at some point in 2026
There are varying degrees of anxiety about Bass starting four or more games while Smith gets his thumb fixed. But the truth is that it was almost inevitable that Bass would get multiple starts at some point this season.
He's the primary backup at both guard spots and became the backup center after Matt Hennessy's injury. So whether it was Smith, Tyler Booker, or Cooper Beebe who would be absent this year, Bass was likely going to fill the void.
The Cowboys made Bass the star of their second-string line with a one-year, $5.77 million contract this offseason. This fully guaranteed salary comes from the second-round restricted free agency tender Dallas placed on Bass last spring. It's a lot of money for a guy who was an assured backup, showing how much the Cowboys valued Bass as a key depth piece.
But now here we are, with Bass set to start Sunday night against the Giants, and Dallas' faith in him is only partially reassuring. It'd be one thing if he was stepping in for Beebe or Booker, but that it's Smith, the cornerstone of the line, who's out is extra salt in the wound.
T.J. Bass could change his future prospects
While we're still reeling from the crotch kick of Smith's injury news, Bass should be salivating at his opportunity. As we mentioned, he is on a one-year deal this season. Unrestricted free agency in 2027 lays before him, and now he'll probably get at least a month, maybe two, to show the world that he deserves one of the 64 starting guard in the NFL.
Some have argued that he's already proven it. Last year, Pro Football Focus ranked Bass 30th among all guards, based almost entirely on the five games he started in 2025. Basic math tells you that that puts him, not just among other NFL starters, but in the upper half.
Even if you nitpick over certain factors in those rankings and scores, five games are enough to tell you that Bass is a solid player. It's why Dallas gave him that hefty backup salary, and why there isn't a second thought about who will be taking Smith's place in the lineup.
Because of the news coverage that Smith's injury and Bass' ascension have received this week, he'll probably get attention like never before this Sunday night. If Bass shines, heroic ballads will be composed on Monday, and the exposure to the rest of the league will be higher than any of Bass' previous chances to play.
T.J. Bass could become trade bait for the Cowboys
What could that mean for his future? Obviously, it would be a huge boon to his 2027 free agent market. But what about in a month or two when Smith returns?
Tyler is expected back well before the November 10 trade deadline. Let's say he returns in time to restore confidence in his availability, and Beebe and Booker are also healthy and rolling. If Bass has put a lot of good things on tape, could a guard-needy team come calling?
Remember, Bass had a second-round RFA tender this year. That's no longer binding, but Dallas may still point to it as a bargaining chip. Even if they end up taking a third or fourth, that's not a bad return for a guy they'll probably lose in free agency next March.
Clearly, the next several weeks are huge for T.J. Bass. Millions of dollars are on the line for him with this well-publicized move into the Cowboys' starting lineup.
Strong performance may mean he plays his way out of Dallas next spring, but that'd be an awesome problem to have as the Cowboys focus on surviving Tyler Smith's absence and completing their goals in 2026.
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