FRISCO, Texas — Jerry Jones watched intently from his suite as his Dallas Cowboys continued their resurgence, improving to 3-3-1 under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer with a dominant 44–22 win over Dan Quinn’s Washington Commanders in Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season. The victory marked another step forward in what has become a season defined by adaptation, resilience, and a deep connection between the franchise’s past and future.

Now, the Cowboys set their sights on a Week 8 road trip to face Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos — a matchup that will test both their growing momentum and their ability to overcome adversity on the offensive front.

Dak Prescott’s steady leadership amid adversity

Through seven weeks, quarterback Dak Prescott has been one of the NFL’s most reliable performers. Despite a revolving door of injuries along the offensive line, Prescott has maintained his poise and efficiency, showing why he remains the emotional and tactical heartbeat of Dallas’ offense. His chemistry with receivers like CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks continues to flourish, while the emergence of tight end Jake Ferguson has added new layers to the passing attack.

But much of Prescott’s success has come in spite of challenges up front. The Cowboys’ offensive line — long the hallmark of their identity — has endured another turbulent stretch. Rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton, the team’s 2024 first-round pick, missed time earlier this season after suffering a concussion. Yet, when healthy, he’s shown flashes of the athleticism and strength that made him one of the most intriguing linemen in last year’s draft.

For many fans and analysts, Guyton represents more than just a promising young player — he embodies the continuation of a legacy left behind by one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

The legacy of Tyron Smith

For over a decade, Tyron Smith was the cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line. A five-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler, Smith’s blend of power, technique, and discipline made him one of the most dominant tackles in NFL history. From Tony Romo’s twilight years to Dak Prescott’s rise, Smith stood as a silent protector — rarely vocal, but always dependable.

His impact went far beyond the field. Inside the locker room, teammates often described him as the “standard” — the player whose preparation and consistency defined what it meant to be a Cowboy. Yet even legends face time’s relentless pull. In his final seasons with Dallas, Smith battled a series of injuries that limited his availability, prompting difficult conversations about his future.

After a one-year stint with the New York Jets in 2024, Smith announced his retirement in April 2025. Many assumed that would be the end of his football journey. Instead, the 34-year-old is writing a new chapter — one rooted not in the roar of NFL crowds, but in mentoring the next generation of offensive linemen.

Smith returns to the game — and to Texas

On Friday, the East-West Shrine Bowl — one of the nation’s premier college all-star showcases — announced that Smith will join its coaching staff as an Offensive Line Coaching Advisor. The news quickly went viral, drawing excitement from across the football world.

“BIG NEWS,” the Shrine Bowl posted on X. “Tyron Smith, 5x All-Pro and 8x Pro Bowler, is joining the East-West Shrine Bowl as an Offensive Line Coaching Advisor this year! We’re excited to have our offensive linemen working with a future Hall of Famer all week long 💪 #ShrineBowlWHOSNEXT.”

The Shrine Bowl will take place on January 27, 2026, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas — the Cowboys’ world-class headquarters and practice facility. For Smith, that setting adds a poetic twist: his coaching debut will unfold on the very field where he spent years perfecting his craft.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones praised the announcement, noting how fitting it was that one of Dallas’ most respected players would continue shaping football’s future within the same walls that defined his greatness. “Tyron was the foundation of everything we built up front for over a decade,” Jones said earlier this season. “His work ethic and example live on through the guys we have now.”

Bridging generations of Cowboys football

For Tyler Guyton and the current Dallas offensive line, Smith’s journey serves as both an inspiration and a reminder of what the franchise values most: discipline, technique, and quiet excellence. Guyton, in particular, has spoken about studying Smith’s film extensively during his transition to the NFL. “He set the bar for what it means to play left tackle in Dallas,” Guyton said earlier this season. “Every time I step on the field, I think about that standard.”

As the Cowboys prepare to face Denver on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET), the storylines surrounding the offensive line — from Prescott’s protection to Smith’s mentorship — intertwine once again. The team’s success this year has hinged on adaptability, but its identity remains rooted in the foundation Smith helped build.

Tyron Smith may no longer wear the star on his helmet, but his influence is still deeply embedded in the franchise’s DNA. Whether on the sidelines of The Star or watching from afar, his quiet guidance continues to echo through every snap the Cowboys take.