The battle for the Dallas Cowboys' starting left tackle job appears to be already over.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters Tuesday that Tyler Guyton has won the starting role and will take the first-team reps as training camp continues. Guyton had been competing with Nate Thomas for the position after Schottenheimer said in June that the two would battle it out this summer.
"We talked to Nate (Thomas). Nate needs to show us a little bit more consistent play to push for that," Schottenheimer said. "I know we told you guys about the rotation, so Tyler will stay at left tackle.
"Excited to see how Nate handles that challenge. But Tyler's playing really, really well."
A first-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2024, Guyton has started 21 games since entering the league. He's dealt with injuries over his first two campaigns, missing the final six games of the 2025 season due to an ankle issue.
The 25-year-old got off to a slow start as a rookie, allowing six sacks while committing the second-most penalties among all offensive linemen in 2024, according to PFF. Last season, Guyton allowed two sacks and 31 pressures in 418 pass-blocking snaps.
Thomas, 24, was drafted in the seventh round in 2024. He allowed three sacks and 24 pressures in 201 pass-blocking snaps last campaign, making four starts down the stretch.
Dallas plays its first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 15.
