“Trading post” definition—A store or small settlement established for trading, typically in a remote place.
I am carefully observing the so-called “trade negotiations” between the Pittsburgh Steelers and a few of their valuable “chess pieces” and there does not seem to be a lot of “equipoise” or an abundance of goodwill coming from the “cryptocurrency reservoir,” when it comes to paying or slaying a few players.
Some of these deals seem to be just plain on the weird side. I am hoping that the Steelers GM Omar Khan doesn’t transform an oasis of Steelers talent into a desert of non-achievers and fake believers. Recently I woke up just in time to read an article written by Mike Moraitis and posted on Dallas Cowboys on SI: “Jerry Jones, Cowboys aggressively made Broderick Jones trade despite Steelers’ hesitancy.” When I read the headline, I raced to the medicine cabinet so fast that smoke was coming off of the bottom of my shoes. Why was I in such a big hurry? Well, the answer is, I needed a Xanax.
Alright boys and girls, put on your listening ears because Broderick Jones is a great offensive talent from the University of Georgia. He entered the NFL as a first‑round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up to secure him with the No. 14 overall selection, addressing a key need on their offensive line. How could such a great young former first round pick be destabilized and become so despised so quickly? I have a quick answer for you. As a rookie in 2023, Broderick Jones had to deal with Matt Canada and his “Canada Dry” offensive scheme. During the 2024-2025 seasons, the Steelers’ offensive coordinator was Arthur Smith and Broderick Jones was switched here, there and everywhere coupled with having to deal with Smith’s “three yards and a pool of quicksand” offense. These were, are, and will forever be regarded by me as the two worst offensive coordinators in the history of organized football, whether it is toddler or youth league, junior high school, college, or professional football.
Now, let’s get back to the “Jerry Jones, Cowboys aggressively made Broderick Jones trade despite Steelers’ hesitancy” story. Mike Moraitis continues: “There’s no doubt the Dallas Cowboys needed to address the offensive tackle position before Week 1.”
So, Dallas decided to pull off a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers and acquire former first-round pick and offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who should be an upgrade over both Shelton and Thomas, which isn’t a high bar to clear. While Jones’ days seemed to be numbered in Pittsburgh after his three disappointing seasons there, and with the team drafting two tackles in the first round of the two of the last three drafts, it turns out the team wasn’t shopping him, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Sunday, August 30, 2026. “The Steelers were not shopping Jones—nor are they looking to trade other players—but are willing to listen if teams approached them,” Dulac reported.
So it appears the Cowboys got aggressive and convinced the Steelers to part with Jones, which they did by offering third- and sixth-round picks. Dallas also received a fourth-round pick back.
It’s not surprising to see the Cowboys get aggressive, as owner Jerry Jones said the team would be following the final preseason game they had on Friday, Aug. 28. “We’ll be looking at that very, very aggressively. We’ve got time to improve for opening day.”
What is this get-rid-of-University-of-Georgia-players syndrome that the Steelers seem to be experiencing? First, Pittsburgh gave away a future NFL Hall-of-Famer when they placed wide receiver George Pickens in the bargain basement of the now-defunct Kaufmann’s department store. And now, they ship off a promising offensive lineman for no apparent reason except for what only one could only assume as an attitude problem coming from Jones. Is the organization from the North Shore being proactive by possibly assuming that they would be unable or unwilling to renegotiate a contract extension with or sign him in the future? Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was aggressive when he pursued George Pickens. Maybe he was more aggressive when he went after and signed Broderick Jones. The article also pointed out that the “Steelers weren’t shopping Broderick Jones.” Did Jerry Jones come in and put his own price tags on George Pickens and Broderick Jones and then take them? Those two players might just be the ones that will help the Cowboys snatch a Lombardi Trophy in 2026. Who will be the next ex-Steeler player and the next Dallas Cowboys star player…Joey Porter Jr.?
The website Heavy recently reported on yahoo.com that: “The ongoing situation with Joey Porter Jr. has caused some to speculate if Pittsburgh would be forced to make an exception, especially since they also don’t have real interest in trading him. However, general manager Omar Khan shot those thoughts down while speaking with reporters on Monday. In the midst of discussing the recent cuts, practice squad signing and the 53-man roster as it stands going into Week 1, Khan said the franchise’s long-standing rule still applies.”
Why are the Steelers playing hardball with Joey Porter Jr.? Jerry Jones is showing other NFL franchises and the world how to be aggressive and play hardball with them. If the Steelers can virtually give away talent, then Joey Porter Jr. can rightfully expect them to pay him. Why should he perform for Pittsburgh or any other NFL team and not be compensated fairly? Porter should not trade his talent for a string of beads and a couple of jugs of firewater, anywhere or anytime, especially if he is forced to play in a remote, small market and off-the-grid franchise.
