It’s hard to find answers to questions about the Dallas Cowboys on the field of OTA practices. Contact is nonexistent and players are just getting back into the groove of team activities after months away from the building.
One of the biggest questions this season for the Cowboys will be how well Tyler Guyton can rebound from a tough rookie season. For nearly a decade, left tackle was the least of anybody’s worries, as Tyron Smith anchored the spot at an All-Pro level. Toward the end of Smith’s time in Dallas, injuries started to become a bigger factor. After working through it for a few years, the Cowboys let Smith walk in free agency last year.
A month later, they drafted Guyton in the first round to become the left tackle of the present and the future.
Things went off-kilter from the start. The Cowboys eased Guyton into the starting unit in training camp. Once Guyton assumed the starting role in camp, he was sidelined for a while due to injury. All of that happened before the season even began and the actual trials and tribulations for a rookie offensive lineman in the NFL kicked into high gear.
“Of course, there are going to be ebbs and flows,” Guyton said of last year’s errors. “I understand that it already happened. It’s in the past and I’m going to move forward from it and learn from my mistakes.”
The rookie mistakes came in different forms. Guyton struggled on the field as he tried to grasp NFL speed while also handling a position change, going from right tackle in college to left tackle in the pros. The external pressure didn’t do him many favors, either. Taking over for an elite player like Smith, who not only possessed a large frame like Guyton but also underwent the same position change when he entered the league, was not an easy task.
In addition to Guyton’s struggles against defensive players, he also had an issue with discipline. Guyton finished the season tied for the second-most penalized player in the NFL with 14 penalties. Five of those infractions were false starts, and another five were holdings.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer went out of his way to praise the work Guyton has done since the end of his rookie season a few months ago. Schottenheimer said Guyton was one of the first players back in the building and expects consistency and stability could help the second-year player out of Oklahoma.
“I think some of the new things that (offensive coordinator) Klayton Adams and (offensive line coach) Conor Riley have brought from a fundamental standpoint really fits him,” Schottenheimer said. “He hasn’t played offensive line a whole lot, then he played right tackle at Oklahoma. Then, we moved him to left tackle. It’s obviously a premier position. Then, you miss quite a bit of time last year in training camp.
“He has not missed a day. He was one of the first guys back in the building. … He understands how important this year is for him, not just for him, but for our football team. He looks great and he’s playing at a high level right now, going up against some good speed rushers.”
All of the praise comes with an obvious disclaimer: there is no contact at practices right now, unlike the intense practices in training camp. Those training camp practices will differ greatly from the full-speed competition on Sundays.
Guyton isn’t just working harder, but he’s also taken steps to work smarter. His physique and build are noticeably different than last year. He appears leaner, still carrying muscle in his frame but shedding some of the excess weight. That appearance is not by accident.
“I think that I figured out a lot about what I need to do to take care of my body, to be able to play at a high level,” Guyton said.
That revelation didn’t come on the field or even in the weight room.
“I changed my diet completely around,” Guyton said. “Fast foods are out. Fried foods are out. I just try to stick to a strict regimen of vegetables and salmon throughout the week of prep. It’s definitely changed a lot, actually.”
Guyton said the change in diet wasn’t difficult for him, and there are too many things he misses from his previous habits of consumption, like from the Caniac Combo from Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
The results he’s seen have made things easier.
“It’s easy when you feel better,” Guyton said. “I feel like my body is more pure right now. I can move more freely, my joints feel better. It’s been a great transition.”
Guyton described his body as a constant work in progress. He still aims to become faster and stronger, while also adding more flexibility to his toolbox.
Many of the external pressures Guyton faced last year are still there, but their presence has faded in intensity. The upcoming season is no longer about following in Smith’s footsteps or dealing with a position change, even if those elements will always be part of Guyton’s story.
For Guyton, it’s now about being a good player in his own right, and certainly better than what he showed in 2024.
Bold Statement: “Ready to Destroy”
In a post-OTA interview, Guyton didn’t hold back: “I love this feeling. This is football—hot, intense, and I was born for it. I learned so much from my first year, and now I’m ready to destroy every opponent on the field.” This statement reflects not only his newfound confidence but also his determination to prove doubters wrong about his ability to excel at left tackle.
Guyton also expressed excitement about working with the new coaching staff under Brian Schottenheimer. He gave a special shoutout to assistant coach Ramon Chinyoung, emphasizing that “the energy in the locker room is shifting, and the season hasn’t even started!” This signals a revitalized team spirit and thorough preparation for the upcoming season.
High Expectations for 2025
With Edoga’s departure to the New York Giants and no veteran signings to challenge for the role, the left tackle position is unequivocally Guyton’s. He’ll face significant challenges, including protecting Dak Prescott against elite pass rushers like Myles Garrett in Week 1. Yet, with his meticulous preparation and steely mindset, Guyton appears ready to rise to the occasion.
Analysts believe that if Guyton can overcome his rookie-year weaknesses—such as penalties and consistency—he could become a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offensive line alongside talents like Tyler Smith and rookie Tyler Booker. Coach Schottenheimer stressed, “We believe in Guyton’s potential. He has everything it takes to be an elite left tackle.”
Conclusion
Tyler Guyton stands at the cusp of a breakout opportunity to prove he’s more than just a first-round pick—he’s the future of the Dallas Cowboys at left tackle. With improvements in physique, technique, and a “ready to destroy” mentality, Guyton promises explosive performances in the 2025 season. Cowboys fans have every reason to be excited for a thrilling season, with Guyton poised to be one of the brightest stars.