{"id":151214,"date":"2026-02-10T09:16:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T09:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151214"},"modified":"2026-02-10T09:16:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T09:16:36","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8-breaking-cowboys-urged-to-take-a-wait-and-see-approach-with-their-17-game-starter-creating-a-tidal-wave-of-debate-and-speculation-across-nfl-social-feeds-anal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151214","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 BREAKING: Cowboys urged to take a \u201cwait and see\u201d approach with their 17\u2011game starter, creating a tidal wave of debate and speculation across NFL social feeds. Analysts are warning Dallas not to rush decisions on Terence Steele\u2019s long\u2011term future after his full\u2011season work, suggesting patience may yield clearer value. Fan timelines are lighting up with heated takes \u2014 could this cautious strategy become the key to stabilizing the offensive line..ll \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Future of Terence Steele: Will the Dallas Cowboys Keep the Reliable Offensive Tackle?<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Tony Adame | February 9, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

The future of Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle<\/strong> Terence Steele<\/strong> is as uncertain as the plot twists in one of those classic \u201cChoose Your Own Adventure<\/strong>\u201d books from the 1980s. Much like those books where readers can flip through pages and select the course of action, the decision about what happens next for Steele in a Cowboys uniform is still up in the air.<\/p>\n

As things stand, the smart money is likely on Steele playing at least one more season<\/strong> with the Cowboys, the team he’s been with since going undrafted in 2020<\/strong>. But with his hefty contract and the emergence of young talent on the Cowboys’ offensive line, the question remains: will Steele be a part of the Cowboys’ future for years to come, or is his time in Dallas running out?<\/p>\n

A “Wait and See” Approach for Steele\u2019s Future<\/h3>\n

According to Dan Rogers<\/strong> of Blogging the Boys<\/strong>, the best approach for the Cowboys might be to take a \u201cWait and See\u201d strategy<\/strong> with Steele, avoiding any hasty decisions that could result in a dead cap hit<\/strong> of $9.375 million<\/strong> in 2026<\/strong>. Steele signed a 5-year, $86.8 million extension<\/strong> in September 2023<\/strong>, and while it would be financially costly to move on from him before 2026<\/strong>, the question remains whether keeping him for that season is worth it.<\/p>\n

In 2025<\/strong>, Steele was a starter for every game<\/strong>, marking his 51st consecutive regular-season start<\/strong>. He\u2019s played every single game for the Cowboys<\/strong> over the last three seasons<\/strong>, solidifying his spot on the right side of the offensive line. Despite this durability and consistency, Steele\u2019s performance<\/strong> hasn\u2019t been flawless, with his pass protection<\/strong> coming under scrutiny at times.<\/p>\n

Steele\u2019s Strengths: Powerful Run Blocker<\/h3>\n

One of the biggest strengths Steele brings to the table is his ability to run block<\/strong>. He remains a powerful force on the right side<\/strong>, helping open lanes for the Cowboys’ run game. This skill is particularly important for a team that relies on a balanced offensive attack<\/strong>. Steele is a valuable asset in the running game, and his ability to contribute to Rhamondre Stevenson<\/strong> and the running back committee is evident.<\/p>\n

However, while Steele excels in the running game, his pass protection<\/strong> has sometimes faltered. This has been the cause of fan frustration, particularly given the significant expectations surrounding the Cowboys\u2019 offensive line, which is one of the best in the NFL. The fact that Steele is regularly singled out for criticism, despite not being the only player with struggles, points to the high bar set for the team\u2019s performance up front.<\/p>\n

The Offensive Line\u2019s Depth: Can Steele Hold His Spot?<\/h3>\n

Despite Steele\u2019s solid contributions, the Cowboys\u2019 offensive line<\/strong> is one of the best in the NFL<\/strong>, featuring several first-round picks. Tyler Booker<\/strong>, Tyler Smith<\/strong>, and Tyler Guyton<\/strong> are all first-round selections starting on the line, and Cooper Beebe<\/strong>, the starting center, was a third-round pick<\/strong> in the 2024 NFL Draft<\/strong>. This depth and talent could put pressure on Steele\u2019s spot, especially if his performance doesn\u2019t meet expectations.<\/p>\n

Steele\u2019s position has become a lightning rod for fan frustration<\/strong>, even though he\u2019s been a reliable starter<\/strong> for several seasons. The bar is set incredibly high when you’re part of one of the most talented offensive lines in the league, and Steele\u2019s moments of struggle\u2014especially in pass protection<\/strong>\u2014have led to calls for him to be replaced. But the question remains: can the Cowboys afford to move on<\/strong> from a player who has been so reliable for them, even if his performance isn\u2019t perfect?<\/p>\n

The Case for Keeping Steele: Stability vs. Youth Movement<\/h3>\n

As much as Steele has been criticized, he\u2019s been remarkably durable and consistent<\/strong> over the past three seasons, which is no small feat in the NFL. He\u2019s an integral part of the offensive line\u2019s continuity, and his chemistry with the rest of the unit cannot be overlooked.<\/p>\n

However, there\u2019s a growing argument for youthful competition<\/strong>. Nate Thomas<\/strong> and Ajani Cornelius<\/strong>, two young tackles, are developing quickly and could soon challenge Steele for his spot. This opens up the possibility of the Cowboys looking to the future by giving younger players a chance to start. At the same time, this might also influence Steele’s future role, with some speculating that Campbell<\/strong> might be shifted to left guard<\/strong> in the future, even though he was drafted No. 4 overall<\/strong> as a tackle.<\/p>\n

The Financial Decision: Should the Cowboys Commit to Steele for One More Year?<\/h3>\n

The Cowboys\u2019 front office<\/strong> has a difficult decision ahead when it comes to Steele. His $14 million salary<\/strong> for 2026 is a considerable investment, but the financial hit of moving on from him could be much steeper. In 2026<\/strong>, the Cowboys face a first-place schedule<\/strong>, and if they want to compete for a Super Bowl<\/strong>, they\u2019ll need their offensive line to be at its best<\/strong>. If Steele remains on the roster, it\u2019s likely that he\u2019ll have to improve in pass protection<\/strong> to keep his spot as the starter.<\/p>\n

However, if the Cowboys feel that young players<\/strong> like Thomas<\/strong> and Cornelius<\/strong> are ready to step up, or if they see an opportunity to free up cap space for other positions, they could move on from Steele. The next few months of spring training and preseason<\/strong> will likely determine which direction the team goes in.<\/p>\n

Conclusion: A Crucial Offseason for Terence Steele and the Cowboys<\/h3>\n

As the 2026 offseason<\/strong> approaches, Terence Steele\u2019s future with the Dallas Cowboys<\/strong> remains uncertain. While he\u2019s been a steady and reliable starter<\/strong>, his struggles in pass protection<\/strong>, combined with the team\u2019s growing depth at offensive tackle, leave his status up in the air.<\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel<\/strong> and the Cowboys front office<\/strong> have some tough decisions ahead. Should they stick with the veteran Steele for another year, or will they move on and give the younger players an opportunity to take over? The decision will likely come down to team needs<\/strong>, financial considerations<\/strong>, and whether Steele\u2019s struggles in pass protection are something that can be corrected.<\/p>\n

The coming months will be critical as the Cowboys look to finalize their offensive line<\/strong> heading into 2026<\/strong>, and Steele\u2019s future will be a key storyline to follow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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