The Cowboys seem to be confident in Terence Steele these days.
The Dallas Cowboys have a huge task ahead of them this offseason in replacing future Hall of Fame right guard Zack Martin. The seven-time First-Team All-Pro retired last week, leaving questions about the best options for his replacement.
Stephen Jones has been answering questions at the NFL combine and spoke about the plans for the offensive line’s future heading into 2025. Jones feels confident in their in-house options between Brock Hoffman and/or Cooper Beebe, following in Martin’s footsteps.
“Between Hoffman and Beebe, can they get the job done at center and guard?” Jones asked rhetorically. “Yeah. I think they’re great answers.
“How they [the coaching staff] will play them remains to be seen.”
Jones didn’t expound. But his answer suggests that head coach Brian Schottenheimer and his staff would consider shifting Beebe back to guard, where he played in college under new offensive line coach Conor Riley, and use Hoffman at center.
Jones also mentioned that the team might consider adding a veteran player to free agency, similar to their recent moves with Chuma Edoga, but this time, it could be at the guard position. Moving Beebe back to guard could be an intriguing decision, especially since he spent his entire rookie season developing as a center.
However, if the team trusts the coaching staff as evaluators, returning him to right guard—his natural position from college under new offensive line coach Conor Riley—might be a better fit for him. Figuring out the best starting five should be the endgame, regardless of whether it involves musical chairs.
Jones also didn’t shy away from their confidence in drafting offensive linemen at the top of the draft and the success that has come from it.
“But at the same time, offensive line is just always a place where we like to draft, usually pretty high too, just because you can’t have enough of them with the injuries.….“I see us looking for the right veteran like we did with Chuma [Edoga] at tackle,” Jones said. “Looking at the right veteran at guard or drafting a guy fairly high.
“We always like to do that. That’s where we got Connor McGovern (third round) and Connor Williams (second round) and Cooper Beebe (third round). We’ve had success drafting guys in the second, third and fourth round.”
The new coaching staff is tasked with solving the puzzle and configuring the best five offensive linemen, with the spotlight centered on both tackle positions. 2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton had an up-and-down year.
One idea floated around social media was to potentially move Guyton to right tackle, where he played at Oklahoma, and would give Terence Steele some competition. It sounds like Jones and the coaching staff have zero interest in that option.
“Obviously, we got [Terence] Steele signed. I think he’s going to play much better in this system with Klayton [Adams].”
Jones was asked why he believes Steele will excel with the new coaching staff.
“Klayton has watched all of the tape on him and just really loves him,” Jones said, referring to the Cowboys’ new offensive coordinator. “Terence’s strong point is his run blocking.
“If we do what I think Schotty and Klayton are going to do offensively, which is an even bigger focus on the run, that’s going to help Steele. Klayton is very fired up and so is Conor about what Terence can do.”
At right tackle or could Steele find himself inside?
“At right tackle,” Jones said.
The last statement by Jones speaks volumes. There will be no moving Steele inside or anywhere else given they still believe in him as a starter at right tackle. Steele had an up and down season much like Guyton, but finished the year strong and could become even better under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and Riley, who are savants at coaching offensive linemen.
If what Jones says is true and that Adams is in love with what he’s seen from Steele’s film at right tackle, then fans should be positive about his growth under the new staff.
