The potential free agent acquisition of Offensive Tackle Jason Peters has been the talk of the town the last few days. If the Dallas Cowboys do end up signing the veteran, is he just here to play a backup role as the swing tackle or could he be quickly moving into a starting job?
Like OSU’s Mike Gundy used to be, Peters is 40 years old. The longtime left tackle for the Eagles, who went to nine Pro Bowls and was a six-time All-Pro during that run, was a 15-game starter for the Bears in 2021. Despite his advanced age, Jason still graded out solidly in his work for Chicago.
After Tyron Smith’s unfortunate practice injury and the expectation that he’ll be out until December, if not the entire year, Cowboys Nation has been in a tizzy over the left tackle spot. While 1st-round pick Tyler Smith played it in college and has incredible potential, his inexperience and penchant for penalties seem especially concerning at the most critical position on the offensive line.
With Matt Waletzko missing time injured and Josh Ball clearly ill-suited to play left tackle this year, none of Dallas’ depth options could inspire confidence. Tyron Smith’s injury left Dallas with only one viable in-house option; moving Tyler Smith to left tackle after spending the offseason getting him ready to play guard. Connor McGovern would move up to LG and Dak Prescott would hopefully develop some strong spidey senses.
Earlier this week we heard that Jason Peters, after sitting home this offseason and waiting for the right opportunity, was coming to visit the Cowboys. So far, it sounds like that visit has gone very well.
I’m told Jerry Jones/Dallas staff were encouraged w/Jason Peters’ physical condition.
Peters started 15 games for #Bears last year w/very solid @PFF grades.
His signing would allow #Cowboys’ rookie Tyler Smith to stay inside at guard + learn from one of the best ever to do it.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 3, 2022
Cowboys talking numbers with LT Jason Peters, per @DavidMooreDMN. A lot of positive momentum here. The visit went very well. https://t.co/ZBX0vj3Q56
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 2, 2022
A person with information on the Cowboys talks with Jason Peters said if anything official happens it would occur on Monday. Cowboys have to make a roster move to make space for Peters.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) September 2, 2022
At the very least, Peters’ arrival will bolster the depth at offensive tackle and give Dallas a viable backup on the left side. We will likely see Josh Ball waived and moved to the practice squad to make room for the veteran, leaving Waletzko as a developmental prospect on the roster.
But could this move be for more than just depth? Despite his age, could Jason Peters be coming to fill in for Tyron Smith as the starting left tackle?
Again, Peters’ play last year for Chicago was more than adequate. He’s not an elite left tackle anymore like during his prime days in Philly, but last year he was far from one of the worst starters in the league.
Didn’t really know what to expect watching Jason Peters play last night. SF GB NYG. Pass blocking was better than run but not to the point that he was a liability. His mass/strength give defenders problems. If overall health checks out could have a role with the club.
— BryanBroaddus (@BryanBroaddus) September 1, 2022
Even if the Cowboys’ goal is for Peters to eventually start it probably won’t happen against Tampa Bay. Peters will need time to learn the offense and may need more than one week to be ready for the role. We should expect Tyler Smith and Connor McGovern to start in Week One.
That could still be the plan for the season, but the idea of getting “your five best guys on the field” can’t be ignored. This isn’t just about how good Tyler Smith is or isn’t at left tackle but also how effective McGovern is as a starting guard. The key is making the starting five as strong, or at least solvent, as possible.
Adding Jason Peters, which is starting to sound more eventual than possible, creates options the Cowboys wouldn’t have had otherwise. The team hasn’t said officially what their intention is for Peters’ role once signed, but don’t be surprised if he’s working with the starters in practice sooner than later.
After crowing for months that the Boys liked their guys, the outcome is that one week before the season you go sign a 40 year old tackle .
Bone head move.
when I thought about this acquisition, I cringed, only because being a former Sheagle, Jason Peters is built like a Tank though and 9 Pro bowls is “nothing to sneeze at” Peters is also a former Tight End so He can also be used in trick plays, IMO if He was able to play last year and passed the physical there’s no reason the tires shouldn’t be kicked, and like the article mentioned alot can be learned from a 18 year vet.
LET’S GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!
I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised. By EOY if the Cowboys are in contention you could have TRON at LT & Peters at RT, Tyler Smith at LG, Martin at RG, and maybe Bidaz at C (you never know if UDFA guys are gonna step up and take that spot).. Anyway, I’ve been bashing Dallas for their off season moves, but I like this signing – hope it happens.
If Mike Fisher is right, then Peters will start out on the practice squad for a week or 2, until he learns the offense, and then get moved to the 53 man roster and take over at left tackle and then move Tyler Smith back to guard!! And chances are that he won’t be playing in week 1, so if he is signed, he won’t start for us until at least week 2 at the earliest!! Either way, I’m glad we’re at least trying to get somebody in to play left tackle for us, cause there’s no way we win any games with the line that’s set for us now!! Dak will be running for his life every week with this offensive line!! I was hoping we would go after Eric Fisher, or Nate Solder, but I’m not gonna complain about Jason Peters, he’ll come in and automatically be the best left tackle option for us, until Tyron Smith can make it back…. Now that I think about it, he’ll actually be the best linemen on the team, behind only Zack Martin until Tyron makes it back!! And if we’re lucky enough to get Tyron back this season, we could have a lineup of Peters on one side and Tyron on the other, with Martin at right guard and Tyler Smith at left guard and Tyler Biadasz at center…. The only players to worry about in that lineup are Biadasz and Tyler Smith, but hopefully by then Tyler Smith will be used to playing in the NFL and be as good as he’s expected to be!! If that’s the case then Tyler Biadasz will be the only weak link in the lineup!! The only thing is that the season will be about over by the time that lineup is even possible to have!! So let’s just hope things go in our favor this season…. And I think having Peters at left tackle is a good way to help with that!!
Yeah, our “five best” right now is more like, “our best and four other guys”.
I would have rather had Eric Fisher, too. He’s never been “great”, but he was serviceable last season and got better as the season went along. Which, makes sense since he was coming back from an Achilles ~9 months prior to the start of the season. I remember that used to be a “minimum 12 months before return to full form” injury.
The team knew they had a LT (one of the most important positions on the team) who is VERY INJUY PRONE. So, with their first draft choice they pick a late rising, small school “so called Tackle” (who was called for HOLDING quite often), but he is drafted to play at GUARD??? But they say MAYBE put at LT at some point??? Why didn’t they just draft a player that was SOLID at LT and move up in the draft if necessary to do so, instead of a player that probably can’t play outside. IMO, this way of thinking makes no sense, especially with the aforementioned shaky situation at LT.
Then their VERY INJURY PRONE LT, LIKE CLOCKWORK, GETS INJURED. Then we are told they think they have enough on the current roster to fill out the O-line, which I commented earlier wasn’t a good idea looking at the possibilities there and they should bring in an experienced FA LT.
NOW, WITH A WEEK BEFORE THE START OF THE REGULAR SEASON, they’re chasing a 40 year old LT, and that process is being strung out for some reason. No disrespect to Peters, who may be serviceable, and hate to say it, but my team is looking like a clown show. Makes Biden look competent.