The Dallas Cowboys just paid a premium for an offensive tackle the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared ready to move on from, and social media did not need much time to pick a side.
Pittsburgh is sending Broderick Jones and a 2027 fourth-round pick to Dallas in exchange for 2027 third- and sixth-round selections. The trade ended Jones’ three-year run with the Steelers and gave the former No. 14 overall pick a fresh start.
NFL World Questions Cowboys’ Price for Broderick Jones
The compensation drove most of the immediate disbelief. Derrick called the deal “highway robbery” in an X post, while Cowboys writer Marcus Mosher had a similar reaction from the other side.
“Seems very expensive!” Mosher wrote in his post. “But they don’t really have many Day 3 picks to trade.”
Seems very expensive!
But they don’t really have many Day 3 picks to trade. https://t.co/U3n9piMQRs
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) August 29, 2026
Tom Downey agreed, writing, “Ok that’s a LITTLE steep…” in his reaction.
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Jon Ledyard needed even fewer words to capture the surprise: “Hold on, what??” he wrote in his post, surprised by the picks Dallas gave up in the trade.
Hold on, what?? https://t.co/QyrLveqdL0
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) August 29, 2026
Nico followed with another blunt response: “Dallas traded WHAT for Broderick Jones.”
Parker Abate lauded the Steelers GM for the trade and wrote, “Omar Khan just cooked.”
Omar Khan just cooked. https://t.co/OFJyCfFZYk
— Parker Abate (@SNParker_) August 29, 2026
The reactions make more sense when placed against Jones’ recent trajectory. Pittsburgh traded up to No. 14 overall to select him in the 2023 NFL Draft, but the former Georgia tackle never developed into the long-term fixture the Steelers envisioned. He made 38 starts in 45 appearances before Saturday’s deal.
Jones Gets a Fresh Start in Dallas
Jones’ 2025 season ended after a serious neck injury that required surgery. Pittsburgh then declined his fifth-year option and selected Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21 overall in April, creating an obvious succession plan.
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Jones was cleared for training camp, but the preseason did little to stabilize his place on the depth chart. Against the New York Jets, he surrendered 5 pressures and 2 sacks, according to Next Gen Stats.
His 2025 performance also produced a 72.9 PFN OL Impact grade, as he ranked 138th in the league, a career low that further explained why Pittsburgh was willing to reset at tackle.
Dallas is betting that the pedigree is still worth salvaging. Tyler Guyton remains the Cowboys’ starting left tackle, while Terence Steele is established on the right side, but Dallas entered the cutdown weekend with questions about its depth behind them. Jones can provide experience on either side and is still only 25.
For Pittsburgh, the return is what turned a sensible roster move into a social-media event. The Steelers moved a player whose option they had already declined and attached a fourth-rounder, yet still came away with a third and a sixth.
Dallas may eventually look smart if Jones rediscovers the athleticism that made him a top-15 pick. On Saturday, the first verdict sounded much closer to sticker shock.
