The NFL schedule did not present Dallas Cowboys rookie Tyler Guyton with an opportunity to ease into his first professional season.
Guyton is scheduled to start Sunday’s season opener at the Cleveland Browns, handling the all-too-important task of protecting quarterback Dak Prescott’s blindside. Across from Guyton, the Browns are likely to line up a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year in edge rusher Myles Garrett.
Despite the intense challenge in his debut, Guyton didn’t show signs of nervousness this week. He doesn’t put much stake into opponents’ accolades, he said.
“Same as every game,” the first-round pick out of Oklahoma said. “You just gotta prepare the right way.”
And to make those preparations, Guyton’s leaning on an accomplished teammate.
Few defensive ends in the NFL matched Garrett’s skill and production over the past several seasons, but Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons is one. Parsons and Garrett each finished 14 sacks in 2023 and both are positioned as contenders for the league’s defensive player of the year honors.
In his fourth NFL season, Parsons said he’s accepting more leadership responsibilities, which includes testing Guyton with strong reps throughout training camp and in practices.
“Guyton knows how I feel,” Parsons said. “I’ve been telling him, ‘Man, if you feel like you can stay in front of me, you can stay in front of anyone. You’re strong enough.’ It’s just all about understanding technique, playing when you’re tired, the mental side of it.”
Coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week that he’s asked Parsons to push Guyton in practice and help mentor him. So, when Parsons would beat the rookie with a pass-rush move, conversations would unfold between the young tackle and the established defensive end.
“I was like, ‘Bro, at this point, you got to realize it’s a chess match,’” Parsons said.
Guyton would then bring up how Parsons in practices could even get past former Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith, an eight-time Pro Bowl pick. Parsons would reply.
“Tyron taught me how to beat him,” he’d tell Guyton. “So I’m trying to show you how to slow me down.”
Tutelage and challenges from Parsons represent one part of Guyton’s path to get ready to face Garrett and the Browns. And while Cowboys coaches have routinely expressed confidence in Guyton, so has his practice field counterpart.
“It’s all about the process, and he’s going to continue getting better,” Parsons said, “and I think this week is going to be a really good test for him.”