Is a complete position change on the horizon for the new season?

Regardless of which position on the offensive line Tyler Smith has been assigned to, the athlete has been a fixture on the Dallas Cowboys roster since he was drafted in 2022.

Last season, the 25-year-old was selected for the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive year. In the final three games of the 2025 season, Smith played left tackle. However, his preferred position is actually guard.

Ahead of the 2026 season, the question now is exactly where he will be on the field in September. “We’ve had great conversations about this,” he explained in a recent interview on the team’s website.

“I understand what’s at stake. That’s the best I could hope for: having that understanding early on. Of course, I have full confidence that we’ll go out there and do what we need to do.”

Smith can play both positions

Given his confident remarks, it’s likely he’ll play left guard again. However, Smith has also consistently proven himself to be a team player who steps up wherever he’s needed.

As early as his rookie season in 2022, he made his debut as a left tackle, playing 1,022 snaps at that position—a significant number compared to the mere 121 he played as a guard.

In his second year, he played exclusively as a guard; in each of the past two seasons, he played at least 100 snaps as a tackle—and more than 900 as a guard.

Good news for Smith: Tackle Tyler Guyton, whom he had to fill in for last season after Guyton’s injury, is expected to be ready to play again in Week One.

However, the 25-year-old wouldn’t have a problem with playing tackle again. “Ultimately, I’ll play wherever I’m needed. I’m happy with the way things are right now.”