There’s still a few shining lights at the end of a very difficult season for the Dallas Cowboys. No matter the result of their game against the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys will find themselves with a losing season. Not everything was a loss though, as far as the Pro-Bowl goes. The team finds five players on the list. But one of them stands out above the rest and his name is Tyler Smith.
Offensive Guard Tyler Smith Makes the 2025 Pro-Bowl List for The Second Time
The Struggle for Cowboys Offensive Line
Although the season began with plenty of hopes, the Cowboys quickly crumbled. No position showed that more than the offensive line.
Throughout the season, the Cowboys suffered through at least 10 combinations of offensive linemen. Some of it was the struggle of their first-round pick, Tyler Guyton, who switched positions from right tackle in college to left tackle for the NFL. Other pieces were injuries, which nearly every one of the starting five faced.
Injuries only worsened the play. A constant shuffling of starters created inconsistencies in coverage. The Cowboys were second to last in time to throw, only offering up 2.66 seconds. The run game at the beginning of the season struggled too.
It’s only been in the past few weeks that the Cowboys have created a semblance of consistency.
A Big Change for Tyler Smith and the Offensive Line
Running back Rico Dowdle has reached 100 rushing yards in four of the last five games. A lot of that goes back to the way that the line has gotten it together…
Again, all of this has been without Zack Martin, who is considered one of the best guards in the game. At least, until this past year. With Martin sidelined, Tyler Smith has stepped up as the leader of the offensive line.
Although Smith is only three years into the league, he carries himself as if he has years of experience under his belt. His game was rock solid from the start of the season.
In over 517 passing snaps, Smith only allowed two sacks. He also allowed only 21 pressures, giving him an incredible 4.1% pressure rate, according to NFL Pro Stats. Pro Bowl selections are voted on by fans, coaches, and players, but the stats of Smith underline why he deserves the selection.
The Future of Tyler Smith’s Game
Consistency is the key to his game. It’s something he spoke highly about in an interview with Cowboys media on January 2, 2025. Originally asked about how Martin has helped influence his game, Smith responded by saying:
“Just being consistent in everything you do, regardless of how things go. This year was a huge part of that. We had ebbs and flows. We had ups and downs but just being consistent in my process and the work that I put in. Trusting in everything that I’ve learned. It’s one thing to learn something but it’s a different thing to have faith in it. So definitely just having faith that everything I do to improve myself and the team and things of that nature are working.”
No offensive lineman manages only 2 sacks and 21 pressures by becoming sloppy. Even as the entire team crumbled around him, including quarterback Dak Prescott, receiver CeeDee Lamb, and tight end Jake Ferguson, Smith held the fort.
His world changed, but he didn’t. Going forward for the Dallas Cowboys, that kind of leadership and stability is essential for the success of the team.
Tyler Smith’s contract expires in 2026, but hopefully, the Cowboys front office will see what everyone else does and extend him well into the future.
