Cowboys acquire tackle Broderick Jones from Steelers in pre-roster trade
Dallas has traded for Pittsburgh offensive tackle Broderick Jones, sending a 2027 third-round and sixth-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for Jones and a 2027 fourth-round pick. Jones, a former first-round pick, started 38 games over three seasons with Pittsburgh and will provide depth at tackle for the Cowboys. He reunites with former Georgia and Steelers teammate George Pickens in Dallas.
Jones arrives in Dallas after the Steelers declined his fifth-year option last spring, making him a pending free agent following the 2026 campaign. His 38 starts across three seasons include experience on both sides of the line, having opened 2024 at right tackle before shifting to the left side in 2025. A neck injury in Week 12 cut that season short. The Cowboys' current starting front features Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, and Terence Steele, with Jones providing immediate insurance behind them. The reunion with Pickens marks their fifth combined season as teammates, including Georgia's 2021 national championship run. Notably, the trade pairs new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy with his former Dallas organization.
This trade could quietly shape both franchises' trajectories. For Dallas, adding a former first-round tackle at modest cost may stabilize an offensive line that faced preseason depth questions, potentially protecting the quarterback and boosting the running game—factors that directly influence game outcomes and fan engagement. For Pittsburgh, the move signals a roster reset under new leadership. Broader league observers may view this as a test case for how teams value young offensive linemen whose rookie contracts near expiration, possibly affecting future trade negotiations across the NFL.