The Dallas Cowboys once dominated the trenches with an offensive line that set the standard for the NFL but in 2025 it is a different story and it could leave Dak Prescott’s health on a lifeline at the AT&T Stadium.
From 2014 to 2017, the unit was the foundation of a consistent top-five rushing attack and offered elite protection for their quarterback as they remained a feared outfit in the NFC East.
Pro Bowlers Tyron Smith and Zack Martin were cornerstones of that defense and during those prime years, the Cowboys consistently ranked top five in adjusted line yards and were among the league’s best in yards per carry.
But that strength has since eroded, leaving Prescott increasingly exposed and prone to big hits, meaning it may be putting the veteran quarterback’s health and the team’s postseason aspirations at risk.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dallas now ranks just 23rd in offensive line performance and in the 2024/25 NFL season allowed 30 sacks and posted a pressure rate of 27.6 percent, among the worst in the league.
By contrast, the Kansas City Chiefs, who allowed Patrick Mahomes to be sacked six times in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, rank 20th. The Eagles, also competing in the NFC East, are considered the best offensive line in the NFL.
How will the Cowboys try to fix their offensive line problems?
In an effort to revitalize the line, the Cowboys have turned to youth. In the 2025 NFL Draft, they picked Tyler Booker in the first round whilst also signing Cooper Beebe as a rookie player too.
They are expected to step up from the poor form of Tyler Guyton, who allowed six sacks and 26 pressures before being benched midseason, and Terence Steele – a once promising starter who has failed to fully recover from a 2022 knee injury and has allowed 17 sacks over the past two seasons.
Whilst Tyler Smith has emerged as a top-tier guard, the tackle positions remain vulnerable. Depth is also a concern as the backups T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman have not demonstrated the capability to step in without significant drop-off.
One injury along the line could lead to a disastrous breakdown, leaving Prescott exposed behind a fragile front – far from a desirable situation for someone who has been injured in three of the last five seasons.
So, as training camp unfolds in Oxnard, the offensive line will be under intense scrutiny if Dallas aims to make it to a first Super Bowl game since the 1990s.
The Cowboys begin their season against the Eagles in the NFL Kick Off Game on September 4 at the Lincoln Financial Field. The match will begin at 20:00 ET/17:00 PT in Philadelphia on NBC/Peacock.
Read the full article here
