2 Cowboys first-stringers in danger of losing starting jobs ahead of 2026 NFL season

There are solid and questionable issues for the Dallas Cowboys, such as culture and red-zone struggles, respectively. Also, the Cowboys have two first-stringers in danger of losing their jobs ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

Two positions that an offense wants settled going into a season are quarterback and left tackle. The Cowboys have one of those nailed down with Dak Prescott.

However, the presumed starter at left tackle doesn’t have a lock-solid grip on that role. And he’s first up on our list of shaky starters.

LT Tyler Guyton

Guyton is being challenged not only by Nate Thomas but also by Tyler Smith, if the Cowboys decide a guard shift is necessary for Smith.

Here’s how things could work out, according to ESPN.

“In a perfect world, Guyton, whom Schottenheimer called one of the best athletes he has coached at tackle in his career, will win the job, play consistently and the Cowboys will flourish,” Todd Archer wrote. “If he doesn’t, then the Cowboys will consider Tyler Smith, their All-Pro left guard, for the spot. He played there as a rookie and on a need basis since, but that is not ideal for how the Cowboys want to function offensively.”

This will be Guyton’s third NFL season. He started 11 games as a rookie after the Cowboys picked him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He managed only 10 games last year, battling through various injuries. In between, his performances didn’t knock the socks off of the Cowboys’ coaching staff, according to dallascowboys.com.

“Tyler’s biggest thing is the consistency has not been there,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “Very talented, maybe one of the most athletic big men I’ve ever been around with his ability to kick slide, punch, move, run. But there’s got to be more consistency, and that’s been the challenge that he’s been working extremely, extremely hard on.”

Guyton said he will try to head off intra-team challenges by maintaining a high and consistent work ethic every day.

“Same equation, come to work every day, try to get better, prepare myself for the next day,” Guyton said. “There’s competition everywhere on the team. It’s a football team, and everybody wants to play. Friendly competition isn’t bad. It brings the best out of people.

“I feel like coming into the league, I had a lot to learn. And I feel like I’ve learned something. I’ve gotten stronger, I’ve gotten better at football, learning more techniques and things like that. It’s just a learning process, and I’m going to continue to try to advance for this next season.”

Meanwhile, Thomas was a seventh-round pick in 2024, mainly because of medical concerns. And he missed his rookie season because of injuries. But last year, he was available and played in all 17 games. He has a legitimate shot to win the position, according to dallascowboys.com.

“It’s important not to forget why the Cowboys drafted Thomas in the first place,” Nick Eastman wrote. “While they were fully aware of his injury history, they believed that when healthy he has the talent to be an NFL starter. The Cowboys continue to develop Thomas, and there’s a legitimate chance he could eventually become one of their starting tackles—on either side.

“Thomas still has two years remaining on his contract, and by that time, clarity should emerge regarding Guyton’s development, (Terrence) Steele’s future, and any additional tackles added through free agency or the draft. Still, the Cowboys are clearly not closing the door on Thomas being firmly in the mix.”

CB Cobie Durant

This could easily be flipped, and Shavon Revel Jr. could be the guy on the hot seat. But we will go with the current order, according to ESPN.

Revel was a third-round pick in 2025. He slipped in the draft because of injury concerns. And he played in only seven games last season.

But Revel is healthy now. And he has his sights set on taking the position away from Durant. In 2025, Durant started 15 games and tied career highs in tackles (40) and interceptions (3). He also had a pick-six in Week 12 against the Buccaneers.

Revel said he’s getting closer to what he showed he could do in college, according to dallascowboys.com.

“I definitely feel like I’m getting close to my ECU self,” Revel said. “And I say that every single day. I watch myself on film every single day. (And) I go back and watch my ECU film too, and see what I used to do.

“I wasn’t always perfect back then, so I take that, give myself some confidence when I come into practice to prove who I used to be, and lock in.”

Health is the key ingredient, Revel said.

“My health is 10 times better,” he said. “And my confidence is always there, man. It’s always that heart and that grit to go out there and perform for your team. It’s no excuse. Once you get on that field, there’s no excuse like, ‘Oh, my knee, or this and that.’

“You’re on that field, so attack each play with intent to get better. That’s just how I look at it.”

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