With a definitive ‘Absolutely,’ the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff signaled their intent to secure key depth pieces for the 2026 season, including Brock Hoffman, making crucial roster decisions on both offensive lineman T.J. Bass and cornerback Reddy Steward. While Hoffman’s future in Dallas is still uncertain, the Cowboys have already made their call on Bass and Steward.

According to reports, Bass has signed his second-round tender worth $5.76 million. That does not necessarily lock him into the 2026 roster, as Dallas could still trade him if the right offer comes in.

The development comes a couple of weeks after the Cowboys initially placed second-round tenders on Bass and kicker Brandon Aubrey. As things stand, the move gives Dallas a layer of insurance along the offensive line.

Looking at his journey, Bass signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. Over the past three seasons, he has appeared in 49 games and started 10, splitting time between right and left guard. In that span, he has allowed 16 pressures and just two sacks.

Even in just 352 snaps, T.J. Bass made his presence felt quietly but efficiently. The guard didn’t give up a single penalty all season and posted a 67.6 PFF grade. This ranked 29th out of 81 qualifying guards in 2025.

That $5.76 million tender becomes even more relevant when you consider the uncertainty around the offensive line. The Cowboys have not yet finalized Tyler Smith’s role, whether he will play guard or shift back to left tackle.

Smith opened the 2025 season at guard but moved to left tackle for the final three regular-season games after Tyler Guyton suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Dallas initially turned to second-year tackle Nate Thomas, but ultimately relied on Smith to anchor the left side.

That situation carries into 2026. If Smith is needed at left tackle again, Bass becomes a strong candidate to step in at guard. On the other hand, if Guyton or Thomas can handle the tackle spot, Smith likely remains at guard, limiting Bass to a depth role.

The Cowboys’ decision to slap a second‑round restricted free agent tender on guard T.J. Bass isn’t happening for the first time. Similar strategic moves have played out across the league in recent years. Green Bay once placed a second‑round tender on tight end Robert Tonyan worth about $3.38 million.

Either way, the Cowboys are keeping their options open. Schottenheimer has already made it clear how much the team values both Bass and Hoffman.

“Both of those guys are studs,” the head coach said at the Combine. “They’re glue pieces for us. They’re always prepared, they’re ready. Both of those guys could start for other teams in the league, we’re just very, very talented like I just talked about. Both of those guys coming back would be big for us.”

So while Bass’s spot on the roster looks secure, his role is still very much up in the air heading into his fourth season in Dallas. Alongside that decision, the Cowboys have also made a call on cornerback Reddy Steward.

Reddy Steward also signed his tender with the Cowboys

Besides T.J. Bass, the Cowboys have also decided on cornerback Reddy Steward. According to reports, Steward has signed his exclusive rights tender worth roughly $1 million, after the Cowboys initially tendered it on March 4.

Much like Bass, that still does not fully guarantee his place on the 2026 roster, as Dallas could consider a trade if the right offer comes along.

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Steward’s path to Dallas has been anything but straightforward. He originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears following the 2024 NFL Draft. The Cowboys later claimed him off waivers in August 2025 after the Minnesota Vikings released him, reuniting him with Matt Eberflus.

Despite joining just weeks before the season opener, Steward carved out a role quickly. He appeared in all 17 regular-season games and made five starts along the way.

In that stretch, the 24-year-old recorded 63 tackles, five tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble across 496 defensive snaps. His contributions became especially important as the Cowboys dealt with injuries in the secondary, including DaRon Bland missing time. But in the NFL, those numbers didn’t stand out particularly.

Steward struggled to match T.J. Bass’s efficiency in 2025. The cornerback posted a 51.1 PFF grade, ranking 101st out of 114, with a staggering 35.8 run-defense score. While he had five pressures, Steward allowed 45 receptions and didn’t record a single interception.

Now, heading into 2026, Steward and Bass project more as depth pieces than guaranteed starters. Still, for a team in the middle of a defensive reset, both players offer flexibility and reliability as Dallas continues shaping its roster for the upcoming season.