The Dallas Cowboys entered training camp with plenty of questions surrounding their offensive line, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s latest comments aren’t going to make fans feel any better.
While much of the attention has centered around Tyler Guyton at left tackle, Terence Steele’s performance on the opposite side remains a concern.
Steele has struggled to regain consistency over the last few seasons, particularly in pass protection. After another up-and-down stretch during training camp, Schottenheimer made it clear that Dallas needs more from its starting right tackle.
For a Cowboys offense hoping to protect Dak Prescott and remain among the NFL’s best, Steele’s struggles are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
1. Schottenheimer needs more consistency from Steele
Schottenheimer didn’t completely criticize Steele’s training camp, but his comments reveal a clear concern.
“He has had a couple days where he’s been a little bit dropping his pads and getting edged a little bit. He needs to be better,” Schottenheimer said.
That’s not exactly what Dallas wants to hear about its veteran starting right tackle this close to the regular season.
Steele has already struggled in pass protection over the last three years. According to Pro Football Focus numbers cited by Sports Illustrated, Steele surrendered eight sacks and 54 pressures in 2023, nine sacks and 41 pressures in 2024 and six sacks with 52 pressures last season.
“T-Steele’s gotta play a little bit more consistent,” Schottenheimer said.
Dallas needs those numbers to improve in 2026.
The Cowboys have plenty of offensive weapons, but their effectiveness depends heavily on Prescott having enough time to operate.
2. Cowboys don’t have an obvious replacement
Steele struggling would be less concerning if Dallas had a proven option waiting behind him.
Right now, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Nate Thomas and rookie Drew Shelton have received opportunities at tackle during camp, but neither has established himself as a clear threat to Steele’s starting job.
Dallas has since experimented by moving Shelton and Thomas to different tackle spots during practice.
That experimentation could eventually help the Cowboys find better depth, but it also shows why Steele remains so important.
Dallas can’t simply assume someone else will step in and immediately fix the problem if Steele continues to struggle.
3. Offensive tackle could become Dallas’ biggest offensive concern
The Cowboys have invested heavily in building an offense around Prescott, but shaky tackle play could undermine everything Schottenheimer wants to accomplish.
And Steele isn’t the only question.
Guyton has faced his own concerns at left tackle, meaning Dallas could enter the season with uncertainty on both edges of its offensive line.
That’s a dangerous situation for any quarterback.
Steele has proven he can be an effective run blocker, and there is still time for him to clean up the technical issues Schottenheimer mentioned before Week 1.
But the clock is ticking.
Steele doesn’t necessarily have to become an elite right tackle for the Cowboys’ offense to succeed.
He does, however, need to become dependable again.
If that doesn’t happen, offensive tackle could quickly become one of Dallas’ biggest weaknesses in 2026.
