Woof. Just as the NFL season gets rolling, the Cowboys are already staring down a significant hurdle on their offensive line. Tyler Smith is officially out, sidelined for a solid 4-6 weeks after thumb surgery. Losing a player like Smith, especially a starting left guard, is a massive blow right at the start of the season when you need your big boys up front to be perfectly in sync. But here’s the kicker, and maybe the most surprising part: the Cowboys aren’t hitting the panic button. Not yet, anyway. The word out of Dallas is they’ve got “great confidence” in T.J. Bass to step directly into that left guard spot, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer isn’t expecting some massive drop-off in play. That’s a bold claim, betting big on a guy like that.
Schottenheimer’s Unwavering Trust in Bass
This isn’t some blind faith, either. Schottenheimer laid out exactly why he feels so good about Bass taking over in such a critical position. “Tyler Smith’s a great player, but we feel really confident in T.J., and he’s put great film on here,” the coach said, via the team’s website. That “great film” isn’t just a casual comment; it means Bass has been absolutely grinding in practice, showing up when it counts, and consistently proving he can handle the pressure. Schottenheimer also pointed out that Bass has already played next to key guys like Cooper Beebe and Tyler Guyton. So, the crucial “communication and all that stuff” with his line mates? That’s “nothing new” for Bass. That kind of existing chemistry and familiarity along the offensive line is absolutely critical for success. You can’t have guys figuring out their rhythm in the middle of a game, especially when every snap in the early season is laying the groundwork for what’s ahead.
The Big Commitment That Shows Everything
It speaks volumes, too, that the Cowboys used a second-round restricted free agent tender to hold onto Bass this offseason. They weren’t letting him walk for nothing; they clearly trusted his value and talent enough to invest significantly in keeping him. Schottenheimer didn’t just express confidence; he flat-out called Bass a “damn good football player.” He’s a guy who, according to the coach, has been “unfortunately just playing behind a lot of really, really good players.” Now, with Smith out, Bass gets his moment in the spotlight. He’s not exactly a rookie thrown into the deep end, either. The man has 10 starts under his belt over the last three seasons. That’s enough experience to know what the intensity of an NFL game feels like, to understand the schemes, and to manage the mental game. This isn’t some trial by fire for a totally green player; it’s an immediate opportunity for a guy who the team clearly believes in to finally prove he’s ready for a full-time starting role.
So, what’s really at stake here for Dallas? For the next 4-6 weeks, the strength of that left side of the line, protecting their quarterback (Sam Darnold, according to the roster sheet), and creating running lanes for the offense, all falls squarely on T.J. Bass’s shoulders. He’s got a massive job ahead, and you can bet he’s looking to show everyone exactly what he can do. His performance will be under a huge microscope, and every single snap will count as he aims to cement his place and keep that Cowboys’ offense humming in the crucial early season grind. It’s all on Bass now, let’s see how he delivers.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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