Cowboys Terence Steele Move: Negotiation Ploy or 'Best 5' O-Line?

The Dallas Cowboys seem to have a plan in place for their offensive line. What does that mean for Terence Steele?

During interviews with CowboysSI.com's Mike Fisher and select media at the NFL Owners Meetings, Dallas Cowboys hierarchy offered up an assortment of different answers to questions of where Terence Steele fits in on the offensive line in 2023. 

After starting 13 games at right tackle before an ACL injury sidelined him, Steele is seemingly being relegated to a swing tackle, according to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

This idea of Steele simply being the swing tackle was contradicted by head coach Mike McCarthy, who revealed that he is a candidate to fill the void of Connor McGovern at left guard. 

And then came COO Stephen Jones, who said, "We signed one,'' meaning that vet Chuma Edoga might claim the position.

These contradictions come at an interesting time, as Steele will play on a second-round tender this season with a long-term extension looming, leading to the question of exactly where Steele fits into the Cowboys' plans. ... financially, that is.

If it at left guard, the future tag figure and the going rate pays him less than at the tackle position. It has been speculated therefore that this "experiment'' - because that's all it is at this point - is a "negotiating ploy'' to keep costs down.

We're not sure we buy that, however.

Having Steele play this year on his tender (at $4 million) and then tagging him as a guard in 2024 - and then maybe having him end up actually playing tackle should Tyron Smith retire - provides a short-term cap Band-Aid, yes.

But if it causes the 2023 line to be inferior? Band-Aid-sized future savings aren't worth that.

Some find the whole concept odd, especially considering the Cowboys have a new offensive line coach in Mike Solari who hasn't even seen his unit in workouts yet.

At 32 years old and with a troublesome injury record, would it make more sense for the Cowboys to have Tyron Smith serve as the swing tackle? Smith hasn't played in more than 13 games since 2015 and reduced his contract this offseason to stay in Dallas, a sort-of concession to his decline.

Or would it make more sense to have Tyron at left tackle, Steele and right tackle and Tyler at left guard?

Or how about Steele as a backup, one part of this idea that his personal coach has labeled "stupid''?

There is nothing wrong with experimenting. There is something wrong with letting a minor cap concern get in the way of playing the best players. And ultimately, there will be something very right about simply playing "the best five,'' as good things usually come as a result of that.

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