As the president of the Terence Steele fan club, this piece is a little difficult to write, but in the spirit of putting the interest of the Dallas Cowboys first, it’s necessary. Steele has been one of the most scrutinized players on the team over the last few seasons. Sometimes deserved, other times, not so much. For years now, critics have voiced their desire to see a change at the position, often overlooking the many quiet moments where he just goes about his business, providing reliable play on the right side.
But the time has finally arrived where fans could get their wish. Due to looming financial constraints, the Cowboys have some tough decisions ahead, and this once-feel-good developmental story could be nearing its natural conclusion.
Steele’s NFL journey started as the classic underdog story, entering the league as an undrafted free agent from Texas Tech in 2020. He was thrust into a starting role far earlier than expected due to an injury to incumbent starter La’el Collins, leading to a frantic rookie season where he looked physically overmatched, giving up nine sacks. But just like the little engine that could, Steele showed incredible resilience and improved his technique, replacing Collins and securing his spot as the team’s new starting right tackle. His gradual rise earned him a five-year, $82.5 million extension, and he hasn’t missed a single game over the last three years.
When evaluating his game, Steele is best defined by his strong ability as a run blocker and his inconsistent footwork in pass protection. He possesses the power to wash defenders out of the lane, providing a clear path for running backs and serving as a physical tone-setter for the offense. Unfortunately, his recovery speed after his knee injury has been a point of concern, as speed rushers often find a direct path to Dak Prescott when Steele misses his initial punch. He has good length, shows occasional power, but sometimes moves with the grace of a refrigerator. Balancing his dominant run blocking with his liability in pass sets has become a frequent point of frustration for many fans.
The primary hurdle in keeping Steele is his pricey cap hit. The team already has seven players on the roster making at least $20 million annually, and that doesn’t include George Pickens, who should join them shortly. Steele is not one of those players, as he comes in with an average salary of $16 million over the next three years. That’s not super expensive, but it’s not chump change either.
The Cowboys are already invested along the offensive line, using premium draft resources on each of their other four starters. Soon, the front office will have to open up its wallet to retain some of those guys. That’s why paying a hefty price for a right tackle who provides league-average pass protection is a luxury the Cowboys can no longer afford. If the team wants to ensure the proper resources are allocated in the right spots, then moving on from Steele is something to be considered.
The Cowboys have several avenues to explore if they decide to move on from Steele this offseason. They could look to free agency for a veteran who offers a low-cost stopgap, similar to what they found in Hakeem Adeniji last offseason. Adeniji provided reliable depth and positional versatility. Additionally, they could look toward the future by handing the keys to last year’s late-round pick, Ajani Cornelius, who is known for his exceptional lateral agility and pass blocking mirror. And let’s not forget Nate Thomas, who, despite struggling at times, continues to get better. Having all three of these options in their back pocket provides the safety of experience with the hope of a long-term solution at a fraction of the cost.
Ultimately, the best path forward for the Cowboys is to find a more affordable and efficient replacement at right tackle. While Steele has been a valuable contributor and a great developmental success story, his current contract does not align with his on-field production. By pivoting to a younger or cheaper option, the Cowboys can maintain quality offensive line play while gaining the financial flexibility needed to create a more balanced roster.