Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers place second-round tenders on key offensive linemen

The Dallas Cowboys officially tendered offensive lineman Terence Steele and the Green Bay Packers are reportedly placing a second-round tender on offensive lineman Yosh Nijman on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

Nijman, a Virginia Tech alum, will get $4.304 million on the second-round tender.

In five seasons with the Packers, the former undrafted free agent has made $2.8 million in career earnings. Nijman made his first career start in 2021.

Helping the Packers out with depth when injuries hit the OL this season, the 6-foot-7 tackle played on both sides of the line. He had zero sacks and five pressures allowed in six games at left tackle and five sacks and 23 pressures in 11 starts at right tackle.

Cowboys tender Steele for 2023

Terence Steele, a former Texas Tech star, suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-December but he’ll be ready to play the season in 2023.

Steele, who went undrafted out of Texas Tech, joined the Cowboys in 2020. He signed a three-year deal for $2.3 million. Dallas hopes to work on a long-term deal with Steele, per the report.

The 25-year-old Texas native began starting as a rookie in place of an injured La’el Collins. He started 14 of 16 games in 2020 after starting for four years for the Red Raiders. He was on and off as a starter in 2021 before cementing his role in 2022.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.