Cowboys dispute report that Steelers were angered by trade down with Eagles
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The Dallas Cowboys traded out of the No. 20 draft spot, allowing the Philadelphia Eagles to select receiver Makai Lemon, which reportedly upset the Pittsburgh Steelers who had Lemon on the phone.
- Cowboys executives Stephen Jones and Jerry Jones denied the Steelers' claims of dissatisfaction, emphasizing that the trade was a standard draft move and part of the competitive nature of the draft.
- Jerry Jones explained the Cowboys traded up to secure safety Caleb Downs and argued that if the Steelers wanted Lemon badly, they should have traded up themselves.
- The Cowboys maintain that the draft is a "Battle Royale" where teams must act strategically, and being upset at a team for trading down is misplaced frustration.
- The report suggests the Steelers' public displeasure may stem more from embarrassment over the situation becoming public rather than genuine anger at the Cowboys' actions.
