Tyler Guyton’s time as the starting left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys is ticking away, but I’m not ready to hit the panic button just yet.
I understand why Cowboys fans are uneasy. Left tackle is not some throwaway spot where you can shrug your shoulders and say, “Well, maybe he figures it out later.” That’s Dak Prescott’s blindside, and if that side is shaky, the whole offense suffers.
I also think we have to be straight with ourselves about what Tyler Guyton has been dealing with.
This hasn’t been a smooth and simple development path. Guyton came into the NFL as a raw first-round tackle, had Mike Solari as his offensive line coach in 2024, and had Brian Schottenheimer as his offensive coordinator.
Then in 2025, Dallas changed it up. Conor Riley became the offensive line coach, and Klayton Adams took over as offensive coordinator.
That’s a lot for a young offensive tackle.
I’m not going to act like Tyler Guyton has proven he’s the long-term answer. He hasn’t, but I’m also not tossing him out with the trash after two full seasons.
The one big reason not to panic is simple: he improved in key areas while adjusting to a new coaching staff and offensive system.
Tyler Guyton Showed Real Improvement in 2025
The Tyler Guyton conversation has to include the good and the bad.
His numbers from his first two seasons showed he had an overall grade improvement from 49.4 in 2024 to 57.5 in 2025. His run blocking grade jumped from 51.3 to 64.9. Those jumps matter.
I know pass protection is the big-ticket item at left tackle, and we’ll get to that, but a young lineman improving overall and taking a real step forward in the run game isn’t nothing.
That tells me Guyton wasn’t just spinning his wheels, he was learning, he was getting stronger in certain areas, and he was adapting to what the new staff wanted.
And the biggest improvement may have been the penalties.
Guyton had 14 penalties in 2024, and in 2025, that number dropped to 7.
When a young tackle cuts down penalties like that, it usually means he is playing with better control. He’s not grabbing as much, jumping early as often, and not panicking every time a speed rusher starts threatening the edge.
That’s the kind of stuff coaches can build on.
The Pass Protection is Still the Problem
Now, I’m not going to try and pretend everything is fine.
Tyler Guyton’s pass protection has to get better because his pass-blocking grade dropped from 60.2 in 2024 to 50.0 in 2025. That’s a big concern. He also allowed more total pressures in fewer pass-blocking snaps.
In 2024, Guyton allowed 26 pressures on 439 pass-blocking snaps, while in 2025, he allowed 31 pressures on 418 pass-blocking snaps.
That adds up to his pressure rate going from 5.9% to about 7.4%.
For a left tackle, that should make your stomach hurt a bit.
The Cowboys can live with some growing pains, but they can’t live with a left tackle who needs constant help.
If Dallas has to keep sliding protection his way, chipping with tight ends, or speeding up the passing game to keep Dak clean, then the offense becomes a little more limited.
I’m not saying Guyton has to become Trent Williams overnight, but he does have to become dependable.
2026 is the Prove-It Year for Tyler Guyton
This is where the conversation gets serious.
For most young tackles, Year 1 is survival, Year 2 is growth, Year 3 is proof, and Year 4 is the decision.
Tyler Guyton is now into the proof season.
In 2026, he will have the same offensive line coach in Conor Riley and the same offensive coordinator in Klayton Adams. He has already gone through the rough part of changing coaches and adjusting to a different offensive line identity. Now the Cowboys need answers.
Can Tyler Guyton protect Dak Prescott’s blindside? Can he hold up without constant help? Can his pass protection catch up with the improvement he already showed as a run blocker?
That’s what 2026 is going to answer.
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