- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 138,961
By Jeff Howe, Mike DeFabo and Jon Machota
Aug. 29, 2026 Updated Aug. 30, 2026 9:25 am CDT
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded offensive tackle Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys, the Cowboys announced on Sunday.
The Steelers sent a 2027 fourth-round draft pick to Dallas as part of the trade and received 2027 third- and sixth-round picks in return.
Jones has played in 45 games across three NFL seasons, starting 38. Pittsburgh drafted him with the 14th pick in the first round out of Georgia in 2023. He started 19 games for the Bulldogs, winning CFP national championships in 2021 and 2022.
Cowboys add depth at position of need
Offensive tackle has been a position of concern for the Cowboys since the start of training camp, with the biggest question mark at left tackle. It was set to be an open competition between Tyler Guyton, a first-round pick in 2024, and Nate Thomas, a 2024 seventh-rounder. That battle didn’t last long, as Guyton quickly pulled away from the competition.
Friday night, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Guyton is “playing as good of football as I’ve seen him play since he’s been a Dallas Cowboy. … I think he’s playing at a very, very high level.”
Dallas still has an issue at swing tackle, however, and right tackle Terence Steele hasn’t had a great camp. An emergency option for Dallas is moving All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith out to left tackle. The Cowboys would prefer to avoid that option.
Adding Jones gives Dallas help at both tackle spots and a player they hope to count on as a swing tackle option. Dallas used a fourth-round pick this year on offensive tackle Drew Shelton, but he hasn’t looked ready to contribute. Jones might not be a perfect fit or an enormous upgrade, but it’s a good bet he’s better than what they currently have as depth. — Jon Machota
A Steelers project that never quite developed
Jones always held an important place in Steelers history as GM Omar Khan’s first draft pick in 2023. When the Steelers moved up from No. 17 to No. 14 to select Jones, he was supposed to begin a transformation in the trenches and anchor the offensive line for years to come. Now, after an up-and-down three years that included a neck injury requiring spinal fusion surgery, he is getting a fresh start.
Jones was considered somewhat raw after spending just one full college season as a starter at Georgia. However, the Steelers were enticed by his mobility and athleticism. The team deserves some level of fault for a somewhat odd approach to development. The Steelers started Jones at right tackle. Then in his second year, the Steelers asked Jones to begin the season on the right and be prepared — at some uncertain point when Troy Fautanu was ready — to switch to left tackle. That never happened, because Fautanu lost almost his entire rookie year to injury. Then in Year 3, the Steelers finally played Jones at left tackle, the position he was supposed to play all along.
In Week 12 of the 2025 season, Jones sustained the neck injury that ultimately required spinal fusion surgery. The Steelers declined his fifth-year option. The ongoing rehab kept Jones out of the weight room for about four months. The lost time showed up this preseason. Jones says he weighs 300 pounds, but he looks considerably lighter. He’s currently missing the strong punch and the requisite weight to play the position at a high level. And during the second preseason game, he allowed a pair of sacks.
The Steelers began to prepare for life after Jones this offseason by drafting Max Iheanachor. He’s the third tackle the Steelers have drafted in the first round since 2023. Considering Jones was likely to serve as a backup swing tackle (at best), the compensation Khan received feels like a minor win at the end of a largely disappointing Steelers tenure.
In the short term, Jones’ experience on both sides should benefit the Cowboys. Longer term, if Jones is going to come close to reaching his potential, he’ll need time to regain strength and weight. — Mike DeFabo
Aug. 29, 2026 Updated Aug. 30, 2026 9:25 am CDT
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded offensive tackle Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys, the Cowboys announced on Sunday.
The Steelers sent a 2027 fourth-round draft pick to Dallas as part of the trade and received 2027 third- and sixth-round picks in return.
Jones has played in 45 games across three NFL seasons, starting 38. Pittsburgh drafted him with the 14th pick in the first round out of Georgia in 2023. He started 19 games for the Bulldogs, winning CFP national championships in 2021 and 2022.
Cowboys add depth at position of need
Offensive tackle has been a position of concern for the Cowboys since the start of training camp, with the biggest question mark at left tackle. It was set to be an open competition between Tyler Guyton, a first-round pick in 2024, and Nate Thomas, a 2024 seventh-rounder. That battle didn’t last long, as Guyton quickly pulled away from the competition.
Friday night, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Guyton is “playing as good of football as I’ve seen him play since he’s been a Dallas Cowboy. … I think he’s playing at a very, very high level.”
Dallas still has an issue at swing tackle, however, and right tackle Terence Steele hasn’t had a great camp. An emergency option for Dallas is moving All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith out to left tackle. The Cowboys would prefer to avoid that option.
Adding Jones gives Dallas help at both tackle spots and a player they hope to count on as a swing tackle option. Dallas used a fourth-round pick this year on offensive tackle Drew Shelton, but he hasn’t looked ready to contribute. Jones might not be a perfect fit or an enormous upgrade, but it’s a good bet he’s better than what they currently have as depth. — Jon Machota
A Steelers project that never quite developed
Jones always held an important place in Steelers history as GM Omar Khan’s first draft pick in 2023. When the Steelers moved up from No. 17 to No. 14 to select Jones, he was supposed to begin a transformation in the trenches and anchor the offensive line for years to come. Now, after an up-and-down three years that included a neck injury requiring spinal fusion surgery, he is getting a fresh start.
Jones was considered somewhat raw after spending just one full college season as a starter at Georgia. However, the Steelers were enticed by his mobility and athleticism. The team deserves some level of fault for a somewhat odd approach to development. The Steelers started Jones at right tackle. Then in his second year, the Steelers asked Jones to begin the season on the right and be prepared — at some uncertain point when Troy Fautanu was ready — to switch to left tackle. That never happened, because Fautanu lost almost his entire rookie year to injury. Then in Year 3, the Steelers finally played Jones at left tackle, the position he was supposed to play all along.
In Week 12 of the 2025 season, Jones sustained the neck injury that ultimately required spinal fusion surgery. The Steelers declined his fifth-year option. The ongoing rehab kept Jones out of the weight room for about four months. The lost time showed up this preseason. Jones says he weighs 300 pounds, but he looks considerably lighter. He’s currently missing the strong punch and the requisite weight to play the position at a high level. And during the second preseason game, he allowed a pair of sacks.
The Steelers began to prepare for life after Jones this offseason by drafting Max Iheanachor. He’s the third tackle the Steelers have drafted in the first round since 2023. Considering Jones was likely to serve as a backup swing tackle (at best), the compensation Khan received feels like a minor win at the end of a largely disappointing Steelers tenure.
In the short term, Jones’ experience on both sides should benefit the Cowboys. Longer term, if Jones is going to come close to reaching his potential, he’ll need time to regain strength and weight. — Mike DeFabo