OXNARD, Calif. — With the pads on and the intensity climbing, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith believes the foundation for the 2026 season is beginning to take shape.
After the opening stretch of training camp practices, Smith said the physical nature of football is returning, and while the team isn’t where it wants to be yet, he likes the direction the Cowboys are headed.
“Every day isn’t going to be perfect,” Smith said. “There are always things to clean up, but I think we’re building toward what we’re trying to become.”
One of the biggest advantages for Smith has been the daily battles in the trenches. Going head-to-head against Dallas’ talented defensive front has become one of the most valuable parts of camp, offering lessons that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere.
Smith said competing against veteran defenders forces both sides to improve. Some reps end in victories, others in losses, but every snap becomes an opportunity to refine technique and discover what works — and what doesn’t.
“You learn from every rep,” Smith said. “Sometimes you’ll try something new, and through those live reps you figure out what’s effective and what can get you into trouble.”
The level of competition has noticeably increased compared to last year’s camp. Smith said the Cowboys are getting significantly more “good-on-good” work, with fewer workload restrictions than during the regular season.
That has meant repeated matchups against one of the NFL’s deepest interior defensive groups, including Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith and other physical defensive tackles.
Smith didn’t hesitate when asked whether practicing against that group prepares him for Sundays.
“Absolutely,” he said. “These are some of the best interior defensive linemen I’ve faced. They’re extremely talented players, and I think they’re top-tier guys. It’s the best preparation you can have heading into the season.”
Confidence in Tyler Guyton
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer recently indicated Tyler Guyton will remain the Cowboys’ starting left tackle, giving Smith greater clarity about his own role along the offensive line.
While Smith acknowledged that every offensive lineman must remain ready to move if injuries occur, he expressed complete confidence in Guyton’s development.
“I have the utmost confidence in Tyler,” Smith said. “People don’t always see the work that happens in the offseason, but we trained together. The work he’s put in is going to pay dividends.”
Smith praised Guyton’s commitment throughout the offseason, noting improvements extended well beyond weight-room sessions.
According to Smith, Guyton focused on every aspect of his preparation, including nutrition, recovery, cross-training and overall conditioning.
“He really took a step back and identified everything he needed to improve,” Smith said. “He attacked it from every angle.”
Although Smith has not taken snaps at left tackle during camp, he emphasized that versatility remains essential for every offensive lineman.
“You’ve got to stay ready,” Smith said. “Guys go down, things happen. But having clarity on what the coaches want definitely helps.”
Chasing Consistency on Offense
For Smith, the biggest objective for Dallas’ offense isn’t flashy plays — it’s consistency.
He pointed to last season’s stalled drives and missed opportunities inside the red zone as areas the Cowboys must improve if they want to take the next step.
Too often, penalties or self-inflicted mistakes prevented promising possessions from ending in touchdowns.
“I think it’s about being more consistent in how we attack those situations,” Smith said. “You can win games kicking field goals and playing great defense, but we’d rather score touchdowns and make things easier on ourselves.”
As training camp progresses, Smith believes stacking productive practices will be the key. If the Cowboys can eliminate mistakes while continuing to sharpen their execution against one of the league’s strongest defensive fronts, he believes the offense will be positioned to enter the regular season with confidence.
