Can a 28-Year-Old Guard Fit in with the Cowboys in 2026?
The Dallas Cowboys have until the end of the tampering period on March 9th to add new players for both short-term and long-term contracts. While some are completely free agents with no constraints, others have some form of strings attached to them. T.J Bass and Brock Hoffman, for instance, despite their limitations, are a possibility if Hakeem Adeinji isn’t chosen this month, who still has plenty of time, should they not decide to go forward with him at this time. The 28-year-old is a current free agent with no restrictions and was signed in April of 2025. He has played four seasons, totaling 43 games, including seven playoff games with the Cincinnati Bengals, and even appeared in Super Bowl LVI. There are some pros and cons to choosing Adeniji that the coaches would be considering. These would be the deciding factor of whether or not he can proceed with the process.
Pros
For starters, Adeniji is a flexible player, with hopes that he could be swapped into place as needed. He has plenty of experience with tackle, but made his 2025 Cowboys debut as left guard. The 28-year-old has been on offense for six different games, able to tackle, guard, and play tight end should the occasion arise. Adeniji's flexibility allows him to be placed in a multitude of areas with little issue, rather than relying on specific pinch players for specific situations, saving the team from having to pay more players for their more limited talents.
Cons
On the flip side, there are other choices that could be considered instead of him. Bass is a restricted free agent. Hoffman is an exclusive rights free agent, but both remain options if contracts align. There are also other potential free agents they can steal from the Eagles. Adeniji’s flexibility and experience could edge out others who are less experienced or lack his stats. Hoffman has 17 games compared to his 12 and is two years younger. Bass has 16 games and is the same age as Hoffman.
Conclusion
Adeniji edges out in some areas. He has played 55 career games, while Bass has 46 and Hoffman has 55. The question remains: will his flexibility and experience keep him in the running? Or will the Cowboys choose players who are younger or may have specialized skills that can outperform his versatile skill set?
