Steele has been a durable presence, starting 51 consecutive regular-season games—the last three seasons included—while establishing himself as a key blocker on a Cowboys offense that remains one of the league’s best units.
Analyst Dan Rogers of Blogging the Boys argues that the safest path could be to monitor Steele’s development and the rise of younger tackles, such as Nate Thomas and Ajani Cornelius, while considering options that could avoid long-term cap penalties in 2026.
Rogers notes Steele is a strong run blocker, but his pass protection has been inconsistent at times. With the Cowboys developing young tackles and evaluating how the right side of the line might function without him, a 2025 departure becomes a plausible consideration if the cost and cap dynamics align.
From undrafted free agent to a major payday, Steele’s arc is notable: at 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, he starred at Texas Tech and went undrafted in 2020, partially due to penalties in college that briefly overshadowed his potential. Injuries to La’el Collins and Cameron Irving thrust him into a starting role as a rookie, where he started 14 games—the most by any rookie UDFA offensive tackle in NFL history.
Since then, Steele has been a full-time starter for six seasons, with only four career missed games, none since 2022. He remains a focal point for fans, though criticisms tend to surface alongside the broader discussion of the Cowboys’ line.
The Cowboys’ offensive line is often cited as a strength, featuring three first-round starters—Tyler Booker, Tyler Smith, and Tyler Guyton—and center Cooper Beebe, a 2024 third-round pick. While Steele is sometimes a target for fan frustration, the overall line context suggests the Cowboys face important decisions on how to balance youth development with veteran continuity in the near term. This “wait-and-see” approach with Steele remains the prevailing strategy for now.
