A Dallas Cowboys football blog

A Super Bowl return begins with the offensive line

After a week of pointing out a lot of the flaws and salary cap issues on the offense we finally have something nice to say. The offensive line is in pretty good shape, even with the question mark hanging over Tyron Smith.

If Mike McCarthy’s reported remarks about running the ball more are the new reality, the offensive line will be key to making it happen. Can this line be counted on for positive yardage on the ground and still protect Dak Prescott when he drops back to pass?

Let’s look and see.   

THE CENTER

Tyler Biadasz enters the final year of his contract which pays him a little under $3 million in 2023. The Cowboys are going to have to pay him to keep him beyond this year. He’ll be worth every penny as he anchors that line.

Tyler Biadasz
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Tyler Biadasz #63 of the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Not only should the Cowboys be solid at center this year, they should be set for a few years to come.

THE GUARDS

When it comes to the offensive line, this position is the strongest of the unit. Zack Martin is rock solid and Connor McGovern has been nearly as good on the other side of Biadasz.

The bad news is that McGovern is an unrestricted free agent this year. If I’m Dallas, I find the money to re-sign him. If they can’t, the Cowboys have proven they can draft quality lineman.

Connor McGovern

Another option might be a player they selected in the fifth round of last year’s draft. Listed as a tackle, Matt Waletzko might be an option to replace McGovern at guard. At 6-8 and 320 pounds, Waletzko can open up holes for the Cowboys’ backs to run through.

Personally, I think Dallas finds a way to retain McGovern.      

THE TACKLES

Tyler Smith and Terence Steele should be the starters for the Cowboys in 2023. Yes, I am aware that Tyron Smith is still on the roster and under contract. When healthy he’s a beast.

When healthy.

Tyron Smith Ranked 9th Best Offensive Tackle by ESPN

Tyron has only played in 17 games over the past three seasons. The last time he played in every game during a season was back in 2015. This season would be his 13th in the NFL.

Barring the discovery of the Fountain of Youth at The Star, Tyron is not going to get healthier. It may be time for the Cowboys to save a few million dollars in salary and part ways with Tyron Smith.

The Cowboys have placed a second-round tender on Steele, who could sign a big contract elsewhere despite his late-season injury. If Steele does depart, letting Tyron Smith go is probably still likely. The Cowboys have existing options already in the room.

I’m leaning toward Steele remaining in Dallas in 2023, but this is the NFL and Jerry Jones we’re talking about.

THE SOLUTION

If the Cowboys salary cap situation comes down to keeping McGovern or Tyron Smith, then Smith has to go. McGovern has more upside going forward at this point.

I’m inclined to let Tyron Smith go no matter what and use whatever money that move saves to address other needs. Again, Dallas has a history of finding quality linemen in the draft and the line has some depth already.

The only way I see Tyron Smith in Dallas next year would be if they can’t retain McGovern and Steele. They lose those two and the Cowboys may have no other choice but to hope Tyron Smith can put in one last healthy season.

Solidifying the line with players that can stay of the injured list will go a long way toward establishing a strong run game. It seems McCarthy realizes that his team abandoned the run far too early and often in the past.

Using the big men to soften up the defense will only help make Prescott and the passing game that much better. They might even be able to carry the Cowboys all the way to that big game in Las Vegas in February we’re all interested in.

Richard Paolinelli

Staff Writer

Richard Paolinelli is a sports journalist and author. In addition to his work at InsideTheStar.com, he has a Substack -- Dispatches From A SciFi Scribe – where he discusses numerous topics, including sports in general. He started his newspaper career in 1991 with the Gallup (NM) Independent before going to the Modesto (CA) Bee, Gustine (CA) Press-Standard, and Turlock (CA) Journal -- where he won the 2001 Best Sports Story, in the annual California Newspaper Publishers Association’s Better Newspapers Contest. He then moved to the Merced (CA) Sun-Star, Tracy (CA) Press, Patch and finished his career in 2011 with the San Francisco (CA) Examiner. He has written two Non-Fiction sports books, 11 novels, and has over 30 published short stories.

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