Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer Declares Winner of Cowboys' Top Camp Battle

0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a potential bounce-back in 2026. Last season, their first under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys finished 7-9-1, just a few games shy of making the playoffs. That was with them having one of the worst defenses in football, a unit that allowed the most points (30.1 per game) and the third-most total yards (377 per game).

That area of the field is expected to be much better this season with DeMarvion Overshown healthy, a full offseason with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, and the additions of players like Dee Winters, Rashan Gary and Caleb Downs.

On offense, though, one camp battle has dominated headlines: starting left tackle. There's been an intense competition for that spot since the start of camp between Tyler Guyton and Nathan Thomas. But according to Schottenheimer , the team found its answer on Tuesday: Guyton will be the Cowboys' starting left tackle again in 2026.

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Dallas brought in Guyton with the 29th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to protect Dak Prescott's blind side, but his first two NFL seasons were disappointing. Last season, he posted an overall PFF grade of 57.5, which ranked 71st out of 89 qualified tackles, and a pass-block grade of 50 (81st). He allowed 31 total pressures, six hits and two sacks across just 10 games before landing on season-ending injured reserve with an ankle injury.

Still, with the Cowboys' first preseason game just over a week away, Schottenheimer apparently feels confident enough to give Guyton another chance to prove himself this season.

Prescott was again one of the better quarterbacks in the league last season, finishing with 4,552 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 67.3% of his passes.

He still has CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, as well as Javonte Williams. But at 33 years old, he can't afford to take another 31 sacks like he did last year. He's already dealt with injuries throughout his career, and this Cowboys team will only go as far as Prescott can take them. Guyton will be the man primarily responsible for making sure he stays upright in 2026.

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