The Dallas Cowboys signed interior offensive lineman T.J. Bass to his second-round restricted free agent tender on Tuesday, per the NFL’s transaction wire.
The Cowboys thought highly enough of Bass to place the tender prior to the start of free agency, meaning the Cowboys will be on the hook for a one-year deal worth $5.76 million next season.
Bass, a former undrafted free agent out of Oregon, was an important piece for the Cowboys through his first three NFL seasons. He appeared in 48 games for the Cowboys and started 10. He played multiple positions along the offensive line, giving them depth at multiple places.
The Cowboys also believe Bass had the capability to start in the NFL, even if it isn’t at guard for a team that already has former first-round picks Tyler Smith and Tyler Booker at both guard positions. Some teams even made inquires about Bass before the 2025 NFL trade deadline, one person familiar with the situation told The Dallas Morning News.
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Bass could have that chance to start in Dallas, after all. The Cowboys are open to moving Smith to left tackle if they think it’s a necessity. If that were to happen, Bass could replace him in the starting lineup. That likely hinges on whether Tyler Guyton or Nate Thomas can cement themselves as a reliable left tackle option.
Briefly: Cowboys cornerback Reddy Steward also signed his exclusive rights free agent tender, per the transaction wire.
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