After a challenging performance in Week 9 that saw the Dallas Cowboys fall to the Philadelphia Eagles, tackle Terence Steele is focused on bouncing back. Steele faced significant pressure in the game, giving up 12 pressures and earning a low pass-protection grade from Pro Football Focus.
Steele, who recently signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Cowboys, expressed the importance of keeping a level head and learning from his mistakes. Despite the tough outing, both quarterback Dak Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy have offered support for Steele.
Reflecting on his performance, Steele emphasized the need to stay true to his fundamentals and acknowledged getting a bit sloppy. He pointed out that nobody is harder on him than himself, indicating a strong internal motivation to improve.
Steele’s inconsistencies may be influenced by his recovery from an ACL tear suffered in Week 13 of the previous season. While his rehabilitation showed promise, he hasn’t fully returned to his 2022 form when he emerged as one of the league’s better linemen.
The left side of the Cowboys’ offensive line has been dominant, and right guard Zack Martin continues to perform at a high level. Steele sees himself as the final piece to a strong unit, recognizing the impact his improvement could have on the overall effectiveness of the offensive line.
Coach McCarthy expressed confidence in Steele’s work ethic, stating that he anticipates a positive response from him in the upcoming game against the New York Giants. The Giants have struggled to generate sacks in recent games, providing an opportunity for Steele and the Cowboys to rebound with a strong performance in Week 10.