It sounds like the Dallas Cowboys' entire starting offense will be back in 2026. Whether George Pickens is playing on the franchise tag or under a lucrative new contract is up in the air, but Dallas crossed off a big item on the agenda by extending Javonte Williams.
The same can be said about the starting offensive line. Every player -- Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, and Terence Steele -- is under contract for next season.
While young and inexperienced, the unit showed a lot of poise last season. The dominance on display from star left guard Tyler Smith is largely to thank for that. Smith made his third Pro Bowl in four seasons despite battling through a right knee ailment that flared up in training camp.
ESPN's Todd Archer has reported that Smith underwent "cleanup surgery" but will be 100 percent healthy for the start of the offseason program.
All-Pro OL Tyler Smith had cleanup surgery on his right knee after the Pro Bowl but will be 100% ready for the offseason program, per sources. He dealt with the issue during the season, dressing but not playing against the Jets.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) February 24, 2026
Dallas Cowboys star OL Tyler Smith undergoes cleanup knee surgery
Cowboys fans held their breath during training camp when Smith left practice with what was described as a knee injury. The former first-round pick downplayed the injury and was able to manage it during the regular season, starting 16 of a possible 17 games.
While Smith didn't play at an All-Pro level, he was one of the most valuable offensive linemen in football, as he started the final three games at left tackle in place of the injured Tyler Guyton.
The Cowboys hoped that 2024 seventh-round pick Nate Thomas would get the job done in Guyton's absence, but his peaks were overshadowed by some really low valleys.
While Thomas only allowed a total of three pressures against the Eagles and Chiefs, he allowed 17 combined pressures against the Cardinals, Lions, and Vikings, per Pro Football Focus.
Smith had the occasional bad rep at LT due to poor footwork, but he was marvelous otherwise, posting a 72.8 pass-blocking grade while allowing just five pressures and one sack.
Smith's steadiness protecting Dak Prescott's blindside, coupled with mounting concerns about Guyton, has ignited talk about Dallas moving Smith to left tackle and Guyton to right tackle. While Smith is open to doing what's best for the team, he made it clear that he's an All-Pro guard.
The Cowboys made Smith the highest-paid guard by signing him to a four-year, $96 million extension before the 2025 season. A conversion to left tackle would complicate things financially, as the market gap between premier guards and tackles is substantial.
That conversation isn’t going anywhere this offseason.
For now, though, Cowboys fans can take comfort in the fact that Smith should be fully healthy by the start of OTAs in May.