Dallas Cowboys to Place 2nd-Round Tender on Injured Tackle

The Dallas Cowboys aren't letting their promising young tackle go anywhere. Per Dallas Morning News's Michael Gehlken, the team will place a second-round tender on offensive lineman Terence Steele.

Cowboys are placing the second-round tender on restricted free agent Terence Steele, a person familiar with decision said today. The right tackle is ahead of schedule in his return from ACL surgery.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 4, 2023

The tender will cost the Cowboys $4.3 million on a one-year deal. Steele is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December, but Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones recently stated that he is ahead of schedule and expected back by training camp.

The second-rounder tender means any team interested in signing Steele will have to surrender their second-round pick to the Cowboys upon successfully finalizing a contract. The Cowboys would also reserve the right to match the offer.

Given Steele's injury situation, it's unlikely teams will overextend themselves in order to acquire him. He earned a very solid 73.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus for his 818 snaps last year, but teams aren't quick to part with second-round picks. He'll have a chance to get healthy this year and hit true unrestricted free agency next offseason.