Tyler Smith rejects the ‘simple truth’ view of changing positions

The Dallas Cowboys‘ A late-season offensive line change set up the All-Pro running back Tyler Smith returns to a familiar but demanding roleand the star lineman doesn’t shy away from the reality of the situation.

Smith spoke to reporters as Dallas prepares for a key Week 17 road matchup against the Washington Commanders, offering insight into how the transition felt after switching from left back to left tackle out of necessity.

“It was definitely different,” Smith said, via the Dallas Cowboys. “It’s been a while. It’s familiar territory, for sure. The biggest thing for me is the technical aspects of it. Even this week, it’s an away game. Maybe we have some cadence variations that are different in the fight.”

The Cowboys made a move during their Week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers after the injuries continued to pile up along the offensive line. The start of the left match Tyler Guyton remains out with a high ankle sprainand Nate Thomas struggled in relief, prompting Dallas to move Smith to the outside.

Smith responded with a strong game, while TJ Bass filled in admirably at quarterback, leading the coaching staff to keep Smith in contention for the rest of the regular season. Despite the success, Smith made it clear that his resume speaks for itself when it comes to his long-term position.

“I mean, I’m an All-Pro guard, you feel me,” Smith added. “That’s the simple truth if we look at things purely based on the facts. We’ll see what happens. I’ll have those conversations, we’ll have those conversations and we’ll just see where everybody’s head is at.”

Smith’s comments carry weight his recent four-year contract at a whopping $96 million. A permanent move to the fight would come without an immediate financial adjustment, though left tackles tend to command higher salaries.

However, changing positions is not foreign territory. Smith played tackle with the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, starting games there as a rookie, and recorded 20 career starts at left tackle compared to 41 at guard. Meanwhile, Guyton’s inconsistent play and durability issues leave Dallas with tough decisions to make this offseason.

For now, Smith’s the focus remains on stabilizing the line and it helps the Cowboys finish strong, even as broader questions about the future of the franchise’s offensive front quietly form.