Cowboys Could Bench $82 Million Starter After Worrying Performances
The Dallas Cowboys are now reeling from back-to-back road losses, and part of that issue has been poor blocking in the passing game. Dallas has given up 14 sacks in their past four games, and Terence Steele’s lackluster performances have been a key part of that.
Steele was handed a $82.5 million, five-year contract this past offseason but has not lived up to the salary. Through 15 games, the veteran tackle has been given a 50.3 grade by Pro Football Focus. The site also states that his 7.0 sacks allowed are tied for the eighth-most in the NFL.
In the Christmas Eve loss to the Miami Dolphins, Steele was one of three Cowboys players to receive a sub-50-point grade. And while it’s far from ideal to bench a high-paid player, Dallas can’t afford to allow their current rate of sacks.
Chuma Edoga had to step in for left tackle Tyron Smith against Miami, but if Smith is getting healthy, it may be time for Edoga to play at right tackle instead of Steele. This is not to say that the Cowboys should look to end their relationship with the tackle, but they cannot afford to have him allowing sacks in the playoffs.
Other Offensive Issues Plaguing Dallas
Besides poor blocking, the Cowboys also seemed to get away from their best offensive weapon: CeeDee Lamb. Dallas’ No. 1 receiver started hot with a 49-yard touchdown reception, but Dallas QB Dak Prescott did not target him for nearly two quarters.
After the game, the former Oklahoma Sooner was clearly frustrated about how he was utilized. As Heavy’s Sean Deveney covered, Lamb referred to the situation as “weird.”
