Last chance for $82 million Cowboys investment to prove he isn't sunken cost
Is 2025 the last chance for Terence Steele? Perhaps the greatest example of a Jekyl-and-Hyde player in recent memory, Steele has been one of the Cowboys' best run blocking OL since he joined the league while also being one of their worst pass protectors. The team has vowed to increase their focus on the run game in 2025, but while the other four starting spots along the OL need some work in this area, it's improvement in pass protection which will determine what the Cowboys do at right tackle.
Steele hasn't been to blame for any of Dak Prescott's myriad of injuries over the last several years, but he's certainly contributed to the QB's lack of confidence in a clean pocket. Now, with a new regime in place under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the hope is the coaching staff can improve Steele's step back game to where he isn't a liability that requires a less-than-stellar tight end unit to stay in and constantly help.
Rundown
Position: Offensive Tackle
Age: 28
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 310 pounds
Hometown: Cibilo, TX
High School: Steele High School
College: Texas Tech (Film Study Video)
Draft: 2020 Undrafted Free Agent
Acquired: UDFA
Contract: Five-year extension (2023), $82.5 million
2025 Base Salary: $13.25 million, cap hit of $18.125 million
Career Earnings: $26.6 million (per Over The Cap)
Profile
Steele is a rare player, cut from the same mold as Dak Prescott. Players who were taken outside of the Top 125, especially those who were undrafted like Steele, aren't supposed to become entrenched starters for multiple years. Yes, Steele was supposed to give up his starting spot to a returning La'el Collins, but fate has had him play a starting role in Dallas for five seasons now.
Steele's pass protection deficiency could lead to a shakeup that sees second-year left tackle Tyler Guyton shifted to right tackle, where he played at Oklahoma. More than likely though 2025 will be a prove-it year. If Steele's protection improves, his middle-tier starter salary is worth it. If not, he will likely be replaced in some fashion in 2026 when the dead money doesn't outweigh the benefit to moving on.
Steele's $82.5 million extension now ranks him just on the outside of the top-10 right tackle average salaries in the league. The guaranteed money is gone, and the bonus allocation will soon be at the point where it isn't a negative to release him. The team would be able to consider it saving cap space by releasing him before any of the final three years (2026 through 2028) of his deal.
In other words, this is the last time he has financial leverage over his performance on the field. He'll need to prove worth the $13 million annual salaries with his play this year.
Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Cowboys' Dak Prescott Takes Massive Hit On NFC East List
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Dak Prescott once looked like the ruler of the NFC East. While he had a strong rivalry with former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz early on in his career, it was short-lived. The New York Giants dealt with a transition from Eli Manning to Daniel Jones, and the Washington Commanders spent years cycling through options in an attempt to find somebody who would stick. While all that was happening, the Cowboys gladly stuck with Prescott. These days, though, the Dallas quarterback seems to be falling behind. With years of postseason shortcomings and a recent injury that caused a nine-game absence in 2024, the love is barely there for Prescott from a national standpoint. NFL Analyst Nick Shook recently ranked the quarterbacks of each division to weigh the strength of the position on a divisional basis. The NFC East is strong up top, but when it reaches Prescott, that's where the question marks happen. "In many previous years, Prescott would be the unquestioned top quarterback among the four," Shook wrote. "Instead, after missing nine games in 2024, he's third among this group, according to the year-end QBI rankings, and is going to need a strong bounceback season to usurp the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year (Daniels) and Super Bowl LIX MVP (Hurts). That's how high the bar is in the NFC East." Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after a loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after a loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Atlanta, 31-year-old Prescott entered the NFL with low expectations in 2016. While the media debated Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, who went one and two that year, the fourth-round Prescott ended up shining brighter than both, winning the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award. It was a dream season for the Cowboys, who finished 13-3 that year. Prescott completed 68 percent of his passes for over 3,600 yards and tossed 23 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Prescott has been consistent throughout his career—but he hasn't been good enough to propel the Cowboys to the same heights as his rookie year. Since winning 13 games in 2016, the Cowboys have notched double-digit wins with Prescott under center just three other times in eight seasons. In 2023, Prescott was having an impressive run as he completed a career-high 70 percent of his passes throughout the year. He threw for over 4,500 for just the second time. He led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes and turned it over via interception fewer than 10 times. After finishing 12-5, the Cowboys looked ready to make a deep run. They ended up being one-and-done. Unfortunately, Prescott's bounce-back year ended after just eight games. Dallas had notched a record of just 3-5 when he went down. As Prescott approaches new lows in his career, his NFC East peers have been on a tear. Jayden Daniels took over the league by storm, just as Prescott did during his rookie campaign. Jalen Hurts fought through a season full of criticism and ended up leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl, where he was named the MVP. The only player Prescott has beaten out in this case is Russell Wilson. This season, Wilson joins the New York Giants as a one-year rental after his lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although there have been rumblings of a strong spring for the former Pro Bowler, there has been more buzz surrounding a future benching for Wilson, more than anything. For Prescott to be ranked only four spots higher than Wilson at this stage is concerning. If Prescott is motivated by bulletin board material, then he'll get what he needs this year. Being the only NFC East starting passer without an NFC Championship appearance under his belt, Prescott is losing his juice in the division as a new set of passers take the spotlight. For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Fox Sports
5 hours ago
- Fox Sports
2025-26 NFL Comeback Player Of The Year Odds: Prescott, Hutchinson, McCaffrey At Top
The 2025-26 NFL season kicks off in a little over two months, and bettors are already eyeing the odds for Comeback Player of the Year. Last season, Cincinnati's Joe Burrow took home the award. As a matter of fact, he's one of only two players ever to win the award twice. Burrow missed the last seven games of the 2023 season after suffering a wrist injury. In his comeback campaign, he passed for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns, and both were the best in the NFL. Glancing at the odds for players who might win next year, there's not much separation at the top of the board. So who takes home the hardware for the 2025-26 season? Let's look at the latest lines at FanDuel Sportsbook as of June 25. AP Comeback Player of the Year 2025-26 Dak Prescott, Cowboys: +300 (bet $10 to win $40 total) Aidan Hutchinson, Lions: +320 (bet $10 to win $42 total) Christian McCaffrey, 49ers: +370 (bet $10 to win $47 total) Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total) J.J. McCarthy, Vikings: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total) Rashee Rice, Chiefs: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total) Maxx Crosby, Raiders: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Daniel Jones, Colts: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total) Chris Godwin, Buccaneers: +2600 (bet $10 to win $270 total) Stefon Diggs, Patriots: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total) Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers: +2900 (bet $10 to win $300 total)Anthony Richardson, Colts: +3200 (bet $10 to win $330 total) Nick Chubb, Texans: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total) The player with the shortest odds at +300 is Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. Dak only played eight games for the Cowboys last year before sustaining a hamstring injury that required season-ending surgery. Speaking of Prescott, the second player on the board — Aidan Hutchinson (+320) — broke his leg in Week 6 of last season while tackling the Cowboys' QB. Rounding out the top three at +370 is San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey. CMC's injury woes started during training camp last season. Then an injury in Week 12 to his PCL sidelined him for the rest of the year. A longer shot to consider in this spot is Houston's Nick Chubb at +5500. The former Browns' running back had been in Cleveland since getting drafted by the team in 2018. In 2023 and 2024, Chubb battled setbacks and injuries to his ACL and MCL, and then, ultimately, he signed a one-year deal with the Texans in June. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Last chance for $82 million Cowboys investment to prove he isn't sunken cost
Is 2025 the last chance for Terence Steele? Perhaps the greatest example of a Jekyl-and-Hyde player in recent memory, Steele has been one of the Cowboys' best run blocking OL since he joined the league while also being one of their worst pass protectors. The team has vowed to increase their focus on the run game in 2025, but while the other four starting spots along the OL need some work in this area, it's improvement in pass protection which will determine what the Cowboys do at right tackle. Steele hasn't been to blame for any of Dak Prescott's myriad of injuries over the last several years, but he's certainly contributed to the QB's lack of confidence in a clean pocket. Now, with a new regime in place under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the hope is the coaching staff can improve Steele's step back game to where he isn't a liability that requires a less-than-stellar tight end unit to stay in and constantly help. Rundown Position: Offensive Tackle Age: 28 Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 310 pounds Hometown: Cibilo, TX High School: Steele High School College: Texas Tech (Film Study Video) Draft: 2020 Undrafted Free Agent Acquired: UDFA Contract: Five-year extension (2023), $82.5 million 2025 Base Salary: $13.25 million, cap hit of $18.125 million Career Earnings: $26.6 million (per Over The Cap) Profile Steele is a rare player, cut from the same mold as Dak Prescott. Players who were taken outside of the Top 125, especially those who were undrafted like Steele, aren't supposed to become entrenched starters for multiple years. Yes, Steele was supposed to give up his starting spot to a returning La'el Collins, but fate has had him play a starting role in Dallas for five seasons now. Steele's pass protection deficiency could lead to a shakeup that sees second-year left tackle Tyler Guyton shifted to right tackle, where he played at Oklahoma. More than likely though 2025 will be a prove-it year. If Steele's protection improves, his middle-tier starter salary is worth it. If not, he will likely be replaced in some fashion in 2026 when the dead money doesn't outweigh the benefit to moving on. Steele's $82.5 million extension now ranks him just on the outside of the top-10 right tackle average salaries in the league. The guaranteed money is gone, and the bonus allocation will soon be at the point where it isn't a negative to release him. The team would be able to consider it saving cap space by releasing him before any of the final three years (2026 through 2028) of his deal. In other words, this is the last time he has financial leverage over his performance on the field. He'll need to prove worth the $13 million annual salaries with his play this year. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
