Undrafted in 2023, Bass carved out a role for Dallas as a versatile backup guard who can play on either side and even step in at center when needed. Though his NFL tape is limited, he has held his own when called upon and showed enough consistency to keep interest from other teams, especially with the o-line injuries that plagued Dallas in 2025.
In the 2025 campaign, Bass started five games due to injuries along the line, and the unit did not see a meaningful drop in performance when he was on the field. The path to a regular starting role appears feasible, whether with Dallas or elsewhere, given his versatility and production in limited opportunities.
Because Bass is a restricted free agent, Dallas retains some leverage in his market, but faces a parallel decision with fellow lineman Brock Hoffman, who is in a similar situation. Nick Eatman of the Cowboys’ official site highlighted Bass as a particularly intriguing option, noting his potential to be affordable while contributing as a starter if given the chance.
Dallas could either sign Bass to a new contract or tender him with one of the three RFAs, ensuring compensation if he signs elsewhere. The team isn’t inclined to let Bass depart for nothing, but the Hoffman situation adds a layer of complexity as Dallas weighs capacity, need, and future depth at guard and center.
Beyond Bass’s status, the broader offseason context underscores the Cowboys’ need to stock talent for 2026. The report references a controversial narrative around the Micah Parsons contract in the lead-up to 2025 and a pre-season trade to Green Bay that, in the account, impacted Dallas’s season. The front office will be judged on its ability to balance present roster needs with long-term strategic moves.
