Cowboys Acquire OT Broderick Jones from Steelers for Two 2027 Draft Picks

The Dallas Cowboys acquired offensive tackle Broderick Jones and a 2027 fourth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for third- and sixth-round selections.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded offensive tackle Broderick Jones and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys. In exchange, Pittsburgh receives a 2027 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Jones, the No. 14 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, joins Dallas following a preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints. The move comes after Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones vowed to be "very, very aggressive" in bolstering the roster.

Jones started 38 games over three seasons before this transaction. His tenure in Pittsburgh was significantly impacted by a season-ending neck injury sustained during Week 11 of the 2025 season against the Chicago Bears. The injury required spinal fusion surgery, and although he was cleared for football activities at the start of training camp, he struggled to regain his previous form. During the recovery process, Jones noted in July that he was still working to put weight back on in the right places and was not yet where he wanted to be physically.

Roster Shifts in Pittsburgh

Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy noted that Jones could not immediately return to "a hundred miles an hour" following his medical clearance. While Jones was sidelined during the offseason, the Steelers declined his fifth-year option. The organization further signaled a change in direction by selecting tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Iheanachor missed the majority of training camp and two preseason games with an undisclosed injury but debuted in Week 3 of the preseason.

Pittsburgh also shifted 2024 first-round pick Troy Fautanu from right tackle to left tackle. With Fautanu established on the left side, Dylan Cook, a former undrafted free agent, took the majority of starting reps at right tackle during training camp. Jones had been relegated to backup reps at right tackle prior to the trade, despite McCarthy highlighting his ability to play both sides of the line.

Dallas Offensive Line Adjustments

The Cowboys sought an upgrade at the swing tackle position after Nate Thomas failed to secure a role in the left tackle competition. Thomas eventually moved to right tackle during the team's stay in Oxnard, California, earning some snaps with the first-team unit. However, Terence Steele maintained his status as the primary right tackle, taking every snap with the No. 1 offense during two practices at The Star this week. Steele has started 91 of 96 career games and every contest over the last three years.

Steele signed a revised three-year contract in the offseason worth $33 million, which included a $10.5 million signing bonus. Despite this commitment, coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned seeing inconsistencies from Steele during camp. Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams suggested that reducing Steele's practice reps might improve his performance. Jones is expected to serve as the swing tackle in Dallas with the potential to compete for a starting role as the 2026 season progresses.

Development of Rookie Depth

Dallas also holds rookie tackle Drew Shelton, a fourth-round pick out of Penn State. Team officials currently view Shelton as a developmental project who needs to gain additional strength and experience. The acquisition of Jones provides immediate veteran depth that the team felt was lacking. Jones, a Georgia product, will now integrate into a system where he can utilize the versatility McCarthy praised during his final months in Pittsburgh. The trade was confirmed by sources to ESPN reporters Adam Schefter and Todd Archer on Saturday, August 29, 2026.