The Dallas Cowboys completed Week 1 of voluntary organized team activities with three of the projected five starting offensive line positions filled: Tyler Smith at left guard, Cooper Beebe at center, and Tyler Booker at right guard. Terence Steele, who has started 52 games at right tackle over the past three seasons, is not guaranteed a starting role, while third-round pick Drew Shelton could push him for the job. Steele is not the only player who could be pushed out of a starting role.

The Dallas Cowboys LT has had a rough start to his career

Tyler Guyton has struggled to fill the shoes of Tyron Smith at left tackle following Smith’s departure to the New York Jets in 2024. He allowed 26 pressures and six sacks in his rookie season before a high-ankle sprain caused him to lose the starting job over the final four games. Guyton battled multiple injuries in 2025, including a knee bone fracture in late July that sidelined him for the rest of training camp and the preseason, before he returned for the season opener with rust. He then missed Week 5 with a concussion and the final six games with a high-ankle sprain, finishing with 31 pressures and two sacks.

Nathan Thomas was his primary backup, logging 317 snaps across four starts.

The Cowboys’ 1st-round pick is not guaranteed a starting job in Year 3

During Thursday’s press conference, Brian Schottenheimer was asked about the current state of the left tackle position heading into Week 2 of OTAs, as reported by Nick Harris of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The head coach said that Tyler Guyton and Nathan Thomas are competing to handle blindside blocking duties for Dak Prescott, as the former first-round pick is not guaranteed the starting job. Guyton faces a pivotal third season because his rookie contract includes a fully guaranteed 5th-year option for 2028, with the decision due next May, and he will likely have his option declined if he loses the job or struggles.

Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer says that Tyler Guyton and Nate Thomas are competing right now to start at left tackle.

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) June 4, 2026

In addition, the Cowboys have not ruled out moving Tyler Smith to left tackle if neither player stands out. The three-time Pro Bowler has logged more than 300 snaps and four starts there over the past two seasons, including the final three games and 203 snaps in 2025. In this scenario, T.J. Bass, whom the team placed a $5 million-plus second-round RFA tender on in February, would likely be inserted at left guard.

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The Miami Dolphins transitioned into mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, which will run through Thursday. The team will then conduct its final week of spring practices next week with voluntary organized team activities on the 8th, 9th, and 11th. Once OTAs conclude, the Dolphins will have a five-week break before training camp begins.

If a player skips mandatory minicamp, they will be fined for an unexcused absence, including penalties of $17,900 for skipping Day 1, $35,900 for Day 2, and $53,900 for Day 3, totaling up to $107,700. One smart way for players to avoid those fines is to hold in: they show up for meetings but do not participate in any drills, instead observing from the sidelines.

The Miami Dolphins standout center could potentially sit out

Aaron Brewer enters the final year of his deal and is scheduled to earn a $1.215 million base salary and a $4.947 million cap hit after restructuring his contract in March. He is coming off a strong 2025 campaign, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors and was a finalist for the Protector of the Year Award. Brewer missed voluntary OTAs last week and could skip mandatory minicamp due to his current contract situation or report and conduct a hold-in.

The Dolphins All-Pro attends mandatory minicamp

Aaron Brewer attended mandatory minicamp and participated in practice rather than holding out or conducting a hold-in after missing the last week of OTAs due to a family obligation. During Tuesday’s press conference, the Second-Team All-Pro was asked why he practiced, as reported by C. Isaiah Smalls II of The Miami Herald. Brewer said he wanted to be a leader and emphasized that he has to prove himself every year, with goals of becoming a Pro Bowler and winning Protector of the Year.

“I know one way to go about things and that’s working and keeping my head down,” Brewer said, via Smalls. “That’s what I come out here and do every day. Lead the guys. I hope to be here for the long run, so I’m trying to pour everything in me to everyone around me to make us the best team we can be.

“Every year is a new year and so, every year, you got to prove yourself again. I was second-team All-Pro last year. This year, I want to be first team. I wasn’t a Pro Bowler last year, this year I want to be Pro Bowl this year. I was a nominee for Protector of Year, I want to be the Protector of the Year.”

Here’s an update on contract talks

“Sully and I have had talks, but I think those are between Sully and I,” Hafley said, via David Furones of The Sun Sentinel. “I love Brewer. I love the way he’s practiced. I love the way he’s gone about his business, and hopefully that gets ironed out.”

Spotracprojects Brewer’s next contract to be worth $50 million over four years, with an annual salary of $12.5 million, which would make him the fourth-highest-paid center. However, since Tyler Linderbaum reset the center market with a $27 million per year deal, the All-Pro could command a salary greater than $12.5 million annually on the open market.

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