“Omar Khan is in love with Jerry Jones,” one fan wrote as the Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed a trade that sends former first‑round offensive tackle Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys. The deal, announced on Saturday, also moves a 2027 fourth‑round pick to Texas while Pittsburgh receives a 2027 third‑ and a sixth‑round selection.
Trade details and draft history
Jones entered the league after the Steelers chose him with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2023 draft. Over three seasons he appeared in 45 regular‑season contests, but a neck injury in November 2023 limited him to 11 games that year. In April, the team declined the fifth‑year option on his rookie contract, meaning he would have become a free agent after the 2026 season if not dealt.
The transaction swaps a future fourth‑rounder for a higher third‑round pick and an additional sixth‑round choice. Those selections will be part of Pittsburgh’s 2027 draft board, potentially offsetting the loss of a player who never fully secured a starting role.
Reactions from fans and insiders
Social media erupted with mixed commentary. One user joked, “Have fun with him, Cowboys fans. He can’t block if the fate of the universe depended on it,” while another quipped, “The Cowboys might actually have someone to protect Dak Prescott now.” A different voice noted, “If the Steelers had to give up a pick as well and got nothing in return, this is a win for the Steelers.”
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Fans also debated Jones’ positional fit. Some recalled that he spent two seasons at right tackle due to injuries before returning to left tackle last year, a spot where he struggled in both pass protection and run blocking. One commentator summed it up: “He’s a swing tackle, a break‑glass‑in‑case‑of‑emergency type.”
Insider Andrew Fillipponi added perspective, pointing out that this isn’t the first time Dallas has pursued a former Georgia product drafted by Pittsburgh. He wrote, “The Steelers are gonna have a third‑round pick next year because of Broderick Jones, and now, for the second time in two years, the Cowboys have taken a shot at a former Steelers who went to Georgia.” Fillipponi also wondered how Jones would mesh with Dallas’ offensive scheme, where he is expected to compete with veteran Terence Steele.
Some observers remain skeptical about the move’s impact. “One thing Dallas has always done good is the O line, so our coaches will make something out of him,” one fan said, noting the player’s first‑round pedigree. Others were less forgiving, suggesting the Steelers are simply clearing space on the roster.
Trades of recent first‑round selections often reflect the NFL’s balancing act between potential upside and immediate performance. Teams must weigh a player’s draft capital against roster flexibility, especially when injuries curtail development.
Dallas’ front office, led by Jerry Jones, has a history of acquiring players with high upside who may have underperformed elsewhere. The expectation is that the Cowboys’ coaching staff will try to refine Jones’ technique and possibly solidify the left side of the line, an area that has seen turnover in recent years.
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Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s roster deadline looms, and the Steelers must finalize a 53‑man squad before Sunday. The trade clears a spot at tackle and adds two draft selections that could be used to address other needs, such as depth at quarterback or defensive line.
Both franchises will evaluate the outcomes of this exchange as the offseason progresses.
The question for Dallas is whether Jones can become a reliable protector for their quarterback.
The focus for Pittsburgh shifts to how the newly acquired picks will shape the next draft class.
