T.J. Bass comments on Cowboys' competition at center ahead of second season

Gearing up for his second season in the NFL, former Oregon Ducks offensive lineman T.J. Bass is working on gaining a foothold in the Cowboys’ regular rotation. Bass signed a deal with Dallas after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft and quickly became one of the team’s best rookies. He played in 17 games last year and even started two when the Cowboys suffered injuries.

“I feel like I’ve had a really good offseason, especially coming back here,” Bass said during minicamp, via DallasCowboys.com. “I was training out in Arizona and then I’ll go back out there during this break before camp. I just want to see a big jump out of myself when it comes to knowledge and technique and the little stuff.”

During the team’s OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Bass took the majority of his reps at right guard. Right guard is where veteran Zack Martin has been earning All-Pro honors for years, so it won’t be where he starts the year for Dallas. He will, however, serve as a much-needed depth. That is unless he manages to win a battle at another position.

Bass working at right guard/center

Bass has also taken reps at center. The Cowboys lost starting center Tyler Biadasz in free agency, which means the spot is open for the taking. The former Ducks star explained the difference between preparing to play guard and center last week.

“It’s more the process of it is completely different, because everybody is off of you,” he said. “When I’m at right guard, I’ll walk up and know where we’re going, but at center, you’re making those calls. It’s just different. Just trying to get the process down.”

“It’s weird how it changes,” he added of his comfortability. “It depends where I get most reps and I’ve been getting most reps at right guard. It also helps to watch Zack and catch little things.”

If Bass is going to win the position at center, he’ll have to beat out Brock Hoffman, as well as rookie third-round pick Cooper Beebe. Despite the contentious nature of the competition for the starting job, he insists the Cowboys offensive linemen keep things amicable.

“This is the NFL where the best guy is going to play, so you’re not going to try to sabotage him or anything like that,” Bass said. “You have to put your ego aside, and if he needs help, help him. Outside of the building, hang out. It’s different in other places, but in our room, that matters to us.”