Steele inked a five-year, $82.5 million contract with $50 million guaranteed before the 2023 season. While he hasn’t missed a game since signing, he hasn’t lived up to the deal. He ranks 12th and 5th, respectively, among right tackles in annual salary and guaranteed money.
From a pass-blocking standpoint, the return on investment just hasn’t been there. Among 37 tackles that have logged at least 500 pass-blocking snaps, Steele has allowed the ninth-most sacks (three), third-most quarterback hits (nine), and seventh-worst pass-blocking efficiency (95.9), per PFF.
The Cowboys can cut Steele with a post-June 1 designation and save $14 million against the cap while absorbing just $4 million in dead money. It would create a hole at right tackle, but Dallas can get an equal-to-similar level of play at a much lower cost.
Whether that’s Tyler Guyton if they move Tyler Smith to left tackle, Nate Thomas, or someone not currently on the roster, the Cowboys aren’t without options. Regardless, moving on from Steele will absolutely be part of the decision-making process.