Cowboys bashed over $33 million contract for player who should’ve been cut

The Dallas Cowboys have been diligently trying to build their roster back into a playoff contender. But not everyone is on board with at least one of their offseason moves.

The Cowboys signed offensive lineman Terence Steele to a restructured $33 million contract. Based on his recent play, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell thinks Dallas made a bad call.

“The Cowboys could have cut Steele to avoid triggering his $13.3 million salary this offseason, but instead, they signed the incumbent tackle to a three-year, $33 million deal, paying the 28-year-old $13 million in cash this year in the process,” Barnwell wrote. “I’m not sure there would have been a market to sign Steele at that price in free agency. There’s no guaranteed money left on the contract after this season, but the Cowboys would owe $22 million in dead money if they moved on from Steele after 2026.”

“Steele is not a bad player, but this probably wasn’t the right fit for a team that needs to squeeze every bit of surplus value possible given how much it is paying its top five players,” he concluded.

Steele has appeared in 96 games, starting 91 of them since joining the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020. That included starting all 17 games in 2025. However, his 63.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 55/89 tackles. His 70.2 run blocking grade ranked better at 32, but Steele struggled mightily in the run game, ranking 76 with a 54.9 mark.

Still, the Cowboys clearly believe in what Steele brings to the table. He is poised to serve as their starting right guard in 2026. After getting a new contract, Steele has a chance to silence all the doubters by keeping Dak Prescott upright in the pocket and opening up running holes throughout the season.

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