Dallas Cowboys net results from Pickens, Jones trades with Steelers

September 1, 2026 - 01:12

The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers have developed a bit of a working relationship over the last couple of years, and the latest moves show that neither side is shy about picking up the phone. The two franchises have now completed multiple deals involving players like Malik Pickens and a few others tied to the Jones family's front office, and the results are starting to paint a clearer picture of how both teams view their rosters.

For Dallas, the trades have been about adding depth without giving up premium draft capital. Pickens, who came over in a mid-season swap, gave the Cowboys a rotational piece on the defensive line who could eat snaps and hold his own against the run. It wasn't a flashy move, but it filled a need. On the other side, Pittsburgh walked away with a couple of late-round picks and a young offensive lineman who had been buried on Dallas's depth chart. The Steelers have a history of developing linemen, so that part of the deal made sense for them.

What stands out is the familiarity. The coaching staffs know each other well, and the front offices have a mutual respect that makes negotiations smoother. Neither team is trying to pull a fast one. They just find players that fit better elsewhere and make it work. The net result for the Cowboys is a roster that is slightly more balanced, while the Steelers get younger in the trenches. It is not the kind of trade that makes headlines, but it is the kind that helps teams in December. Both sides seem happy, and that is usually a good sign.