FRISCO, Texas — Broderick Jones has 13 days to learn a new offense before the Dallas Cowboys open the season, and he said the scheme is not what he is worried about.
Jones met with reporters at The Star on Monday, two days after the trade that sent him from Pittsburgh. He is competing with Terence Steele for the starting right tackle job.
“It’s all the same all around the league. Techniques don’t change. Plays don’t change. Just play calls,” Jones said. “So it’s nothing that I’m not used to. It’s just getting used to, like I said, playing next to some new guys, different coaching and things of that nature.”
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Jones has spent hours with offensive line coach Conor Riley and that Dallas is running a ramp-up week, with a shells practice Tuesday and an hour and 45-minute session Wednesday at 8 a.m.
“Just to come in and compete. This is the NFL. I know I was brought here for a job,” Jones said of what the staff has asked of him. “So I’m coming there with a clear mindset of just competing.”
Broderick Jones Says He Needed To Get Out Of Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers took Jones 14th overall in 2023 and moved him between both tackle spots across three seasons. He started 38 of the 45 games he played. Pittsburgh drafted Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor 21st overall in April and declined Jones’ fifth-year option a month later.
“I feel like I did need a new fresh start, yes. I was looking forward to it,” Jones explained. “It wasn’t ideal, but it’s something that’s needed. Well, especially for me that I felt like it was needed. Just getting out of Pittsburgh and seeing the new scenery, getting a new vibe, getting to build new relationships and just starting off on the right track.”
Jones said he began preparing for the possibility the night Pittsburgh spent a first-round pick on another tackle.
“Kind of immediately, honestly. I would say after the draft, after they drafted Max, I kind of figured, coming back from injury, not knowing what the future may hold,” Jones said. “So just getting my mindset ready like that.”
The Last 48 Hours For Broderick Jones
Jones had never been traded. Dallas sent 2027 third- and sixth-round picks to Pittsburgh on Saturday and got Jones and a 2027 fourth-rounder back.
“It was kind of crazy. It’s been kind of hectic, just upping and moving and all of that, cuz it’s all new, first time being traded,” Jones said. “But it was okay for the most part. Everybody got me acclimated, got to meet a lot of the guys.”
Jones missed the end of last season with a neck injury and had spinal fusion surgery in March. He did not practice until July 30 and said Monday he is at 85% to 90%.
“I feel like I’m doing great so far after the injury. Everything’s looking how it’s supposed to,” Jones said. “I’ve been out there, I’ve been playing, I’ve got back into the game. So I’d say it’s been good so far.”
Schottenheimer said Dallas went through the physical work it needed on Jones before the deal and is comfortable with where he is. Steele has started all 17 games in each of the last two seasons.
Dallas has 13 days until the opener at the New York Giants on Sept. 13. Kickoff at MetLife Stadium is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
