RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesAs the Dallas Cowboys begin training camp in Oxnard this week, it’s important to know three important players for the 2026 season and three important contingency plans should said players not work out. The Cowboys seem rather confident in what many of their starters and key contributors bring this year, but a couple situations are more mysterious.
Key starting spots like quarterback, receiver, running back, interior offensive line, defensive tackle, and safety are largely settled. Barring injury, the Cowboys have a good idea who will play in those spots and how well they’ll perform. The same can’t be said for critical positions like left tackle, cornerback and the No. 2 running back.
Tyler Guyton at left tackle, DaRon Bland at cornerback and Jaydon Blue at running back are three widely different players with wildly different expectations. The first two are expected to start at their respective positions while the third one is hoped to be an oft-used, change-of-pace alternative. The Cowboys hope all three will work out in 2026, but if they struggle in camp, there are alternatives waiting in the wings.
Contingency Plan for Tyler Guyton
Guyton is entering a critical third season in Dallas, having yet to establish himself as the cornerstone left tackle the Cowboys hoped he’d be when they drafted him in the first round. Much has been written about Guyton over the offseason, but it essentially comes down to his ability to stay on the field, and consistency in technique.
If Guyton doesn’t take that step in training camp this summer, the Cowboys won’t hesitate to bring in fellow third year tackle Nate Thomas. Thomas doesn’t have the ceiling of Guyton, but if he can show improvement and Guyton falls flat, he’ll be the top contingency plan for Dallas at left tackle this year.
Tyler Guyton on LT battle with Nate Thomas: “There's competition everywhere and I think Nate's an incredible player and we learn from each other. We're both really young and we have a specific set of skills that compliment each other.”
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) June 4, 2026 Contingency Plan for Jaydon Blue
Blue was drafted to be a complementary gamebreaker at running back. At the time, it was unknown whether Javonte Williams or Miles Sanders would win the top job. Blue’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and take every ball to the house makes him a special weapon in the Cowboys' offense. Unfortunately, Blue found himself in the doghouse throughout most of Year 1 and he barely made an impact.
Blue’s task is prioritizing the game. Coaches need to trust him before they can play him, so the onus is on Blue to prove he’s trustworthy. If he isn’t, players like Malik Davis and Phil Mafah could benefit. Davis, a proven veteran, and Mafah, a promising second-year player, are hungry for opportunities. They don’t have the juice of Blue but are legitimate contingency plans should Blue fail to take a step forward.
Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer talking about the RB room and pass-catching ability: "Nothing would make me and the offensive staff more ecstatic than Jaydon Blue taking the next step that we know he can take." Blue has earned positive reviews so far this offseason.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) June 16, 2026 Contingency Plan for DaRon Bland
Bland, 27, is a former All-Pro coming off back-to-back injured seasons. Unlike the previous two, Bland has shown he has what it takes to play the game at the highest level. The question with him is if he can ever rise to those highs again. 2026 is now or never for the veteran so it’s imparitive he comes back, stays back, and performs well.
Bland is expected to be the CB1 in 2026, but if he can’t there will be a trickledown effect on the rest of the position group. As things stand now, Cobie Durant is No. 2 in the pecking order. Behind him it’s anyone’s guess. Shevon Revel, entering his second year, and Devin Moore, a rookie, might have the inside track. Both possess lockdown man ability and offer the best upside. Caelen Carson, entering his third season, has been building buzz as well and will be given every opportunity to step up in the rotation . Bland's contingency plan isn't one man but more of a group effort.
Shavon Revel PBU on Ryan Flournoy 👀 pic.twitter.com/CACO85pgqv
— SleeperCowboys (@SleeperCowboys) June 17, 2026 How much patience?
If Bland is healthy to play, he’ll start. Money plays in Dallas and the Cowboys are going to lean on their leader in 2026. Guyton will be given runway, but if he gets injured or gives suboptimal effort, patience will run out. It’s probably not the open competition the Cowboys said it will be, but it’s a job that must be earned, nonetheless. Blue is more of a wildcard when it comes to patience. If he puts in the work, patience should run deep. But if he doesn’t take things seriously, the Cowboys will look for alternatives quickly.
It’s doubtful anyone will end up permanently in the doghouse this season so even if someone gets replaced by a contingency plan early, they could reemerge to claim their spot midseason.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 contingency plans every Cowboys fan must prepare for in 2026
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