‘I Have All The Faith In The World’: Tyler Smith On Tyler Guyton And The Dallas Cowboys’ Left Tackle Job

OXNARD, Calif. — Tyler Smith said he has full faith in Tyler Guyton at left tackle and will line up wherever the Dallas Cowboys ask him to, days after Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer settled the position. Smith made the comments in a training camp interview with the Musers on Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket.

Schottenheimer told reporters Tuesday that Guyton would stay with the first team at left tackle. The announcement came after the first padded practice of camp and ended a competition between Guyton and Nathan Thomas that Schottenheimer had opened during June work. Dallas returns all eleven offensive starters from last season.

Tyler Smith On Tyler Guyton And The Left Tackle Job

Smith arrived in Oxnard on July 27 without knowing where he would line up. Schottenheimer said at his opening press conference that Smith would start at left guard and take some snaps at tackle. Smith has not taken reps at tackle through the first week of camp.

Smith was the 24th overall pick of the 2022 draft out of Tulsa. He started all 17 games as a rookie, 16 of them at left tackle after an injury to Tyron Smith. Smith moved inside the following year. He was named second-team All-Pro in 2023 and has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons.

Smith said T.J. Bass is being asked to play center and that some of the tackles could switch sides.

“I have all the faith in the world in [Guyton],” Smith said. “I think we all have to do what we have to do. I’m not the only guy that’s being asked to step out of position. T.J. Bass is being asked to play center. Some of the tackles might switch sides. There’s guys all across the board that are being cross-trained.

“But I do think it’s my responsibility to ultimately do what I’m asked when I’m asked to do it because I want our team to be the best it can be.”

The cross-training runs through the room. Bass has never played center in a regular-season game and is currently the backup to Cooper Beebe. Brock Hoffman left in free agency, and Matt Hennessy is out for the season after neck surgery. Tyler Booker has also taken reps at center.

Bass has appeared in 48 games with 10 starts across three seasons. He started at left guard when Smith moved outside last December. Dallas placed him on injured reserve on Jan. 3 and re-signed him on March 17 after tendering him at the second-round level.

What Changes When Tyler Smith Moves Outside

Guyton played 10 games in 2025 and went on injured reserve on Dec. 24. Thomas started in his place before Schottenheimer announced after a Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that Smith would finish the season at left tackle. Smith started the final three games there.

Smith signed a four-year extension worth $96 million last September with $81.2 million guaranteed. The deal made him the highest-paid guard in the NFL. He has said he is more comfortable at guard because that is where the reps are.

Smith said his versatility comes out of daily work rather than anything already on his resume.

“I take a lot of pride in it for sure, just always looking for that edge to get better,” Smith explained. “I’ve done great things, I want to continue to do great things, but it’s putting in the work every single day, it’s not being satisfied, it’s being honed in on the details. That’s truly what makes the great ones great, is they’re always looking for that edge.”

Beebe has dealt with injuries in each of the last two seasons. He went on injured reserve in September with a foot injury, returned in November, and left the Chargers game with another injury. Guyton came off injured reserve on Feb. 15.

Smith said the key for a lineman switching spots is controlling what he can control on each rep.

“I truly think it’s the fundamentals of everything,” Smith said. “I really do think when you talk about offensive line play, especially playing it at a high level, it’s all about your fundamentals and the basics. The stance, the start, the sets, getting to your spot, getting off the ball, things of that nature to put you in the best position to win.

“But with offensive line, I think the biggest thing and the key factor of success is controlling everything that you can control when setting yourself up in position to win rep. So I think when you’re switching positions, the biggest thing is technique and fundamentals all the way through.”

Camp in Oxnard runs through Aug. 18. Dallas holds a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday in Woodland Hills, California. The Cowboys open the preseason at the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CT on NFL Network. The regular season begins Sept. 13 at the New York Giants, with kickoff at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.