12 hours ago
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.
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