dallasnews
FRISCO — A viral moment that would make any offensive lineman proud unfolded last week when Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton squared off against Houston Texans linebacker Jake Hansen. On a run play, Guyton drove Hansen all the way into the Texans' sideline, clearing the way for Javonte Williams to pick up a first down.
That play epitomizes what Guyton has become in the first month of the season: exceptional. And to think, his job status was once a question mark in training camp. Now, with the Cowboys preparing to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night, there is no concern about the left tackle spot.
"Yeah, when you guys asked me back in training camp about there being a position battle, I didn't see that," quarterback Dak Prescott said. "It was really because of this guy's mindset and the way that he's come in from back in February, March, the way that he's approached this game to get better with intent."
That intent was to get tougher. Guyton admitted he needed to become more physical with opponents. He had to bang on them with an edge, which meant eating better and getting stronger in the weight room to withstand the punishment. The nagging injuries that slowed his progression in his first two NFL seasons are no longer an issue.
Last season, Guyton suffered a scary knee injury in training camp that team officials initially feared was a torn ACL. It turned out to be a bone bruise, and Guyton worked hard to be ready for the 2025 season opener. However, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a high-ankle sprain. In his rookie year in 2024, former coach Mike McCarthy questioned his durability, and the left tackle agreed he needed to improve.
The adjustments began when Guyton entered the league. The first-round pick played mainly right tackle at TCU and Oklahoma, and the switch to the left side took time. There are different foot and hand placements based on which side of the line of scrimmage you line up. Additionally, the left tackle gets less help blocking pass rushers, so having the proper technique and mindset—knowing it's a one-on-one matchup—is crucial to success.
After four games, Guyton has yet to allow a sack or miss an offensive snap. That has caught the eye of Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones. "I'm not so sure it's not the highlight so far this year, because of his skill level," Jones said Wednesday during a radio interview on The Fan (KRLD-FM 105.3). "He's got some of the best feet you'll ever see in sport or certainly playing left tackle in the NFL. To his credit, he's evolving into the outstanding player that we need him to be. That may be the best news we've got at this juncture of the season."
That's saying a lot considering offensive coordinator Klayton Adams joked about keeping his fingers crossed for the success he's seen from the left tackle. "Consistency is what we want and confidence is what we want and keeping him out there as long as possible is what we want because that's where you're going to make the biggest gains is just by playing in the NFL games, which is so important," Adams said.
Some of the best Cowboys players this season have been receiver CeeDee Lamb, Prescott, and Guyton. That viral moment of Guyton blocking a linebacker off the field wasn't discussed among the offensive linemen in the buildup to the Buccaneers game. Guyton said the block was business as usual because of the standard he's set.
Guyton still believes he's growing as a player, with plenty to prove at a high-profile position. Blocking a man out of the video frame or off the field is an impressive feat that draws attention. "That's a hustle play," he said. "You got to want to finish a dude. Pause. You got to want to finish a dude to the sideline and take him to the Gatorade cooler. Yeah, business as usual."
Key Analysis
Guyton's emergence as a reliable left tackle has been a significant development for the Cowboys. His ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level has solidified an offensive line that had questions entering the season. With his combination of athleticism and toughness, Guyton is proving to be a cornerstone for Dallas's offense.
Originally reported by dallasnews.