Broderick Jones is set for a right tackle competition with the Cowboys, coach says

The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for an offensive line competition at right tackle, and the organizing piece for that battle is Broderick Jones. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters that Jones, acquired for his tackle versatility, will be working on the right side in Dallas after previously playing both left and right tackle during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Schottenheimer framed the decision as a deliberate fit for the team’s current needs. Jones is expected to line up at right tackle as he transitions to the Cowboys’ system, with the coaching staff viewing the move as a chance for him to compete for the starting job rather than arrive as a lock to own it.

The competition is not abstract. According to Schottenheimer, he contacted Terence Steele to inform him about the impending push for the right tackle role after the Cowboys finalized their trade for Jones. That detail underscores that Dallas is treating the new acquisition as a driver of competition, not as a replacement that eliminates the incumbent.

Jones’ background adds to the stakes. During his NFL career, he has been used across the tackle spots, and Schottenheimer’s comments indicate the Cowboys will still lean on that adaptability even as they narrow his current focus to the right side. For an offense, the ability to move inside a scheme while maintaining continuity in protection calls can be valuable, particularly early in a player’s integration.

The Cowboys’ training-camp process typically puts heavy emphasis on who can handle the full range of tackle responsibilities, from run fits to pass protection against different edge-rusher styles. A right tackle battle also has a ripple effect on the rest of the line, since footwork, leverage, and communication all connect across adjacent positions and with the quarterback’s pre-snap cadence.

For Steele, the message from Schottenheimer effectively confirms that Dallas expects the incumbent to hold the line against a capable competitor. For Jones, the opportunity is straightforward: demonstrate that his skill set translates cleanly to the right tackle spot within the Cowboys’ scheme and play calling rhythm.

What to watch next is how quickly each player stabilizes the key fundamentals for the right tackle job and how the coaching staff structures the reps. If Dallas keeps returning to the same pairing or rotates more frequently, it will report how close the evaluation is and whether the staff believes a clear separation has emerged.