The Dallas Cowboys made a late move to bolster their offensive line by trading for former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Broderick Jones. But the decision to waive rookie Shiyaz Pete around the same time drew the attention of Cowboys fans.

Dallas confirmed the trade on Instagram on August 30, sending a third-round pick and a sixth-round selection to Pittsburgh for a fourth-round pick. The Cowboys are relying on Jones' experience, but Pete built a strong following during the preseason.

Jones started 17 games in each of his first two NFL seasons. A neck injury limited him to 11 appearances in 2025 and required surgery. Pittsburgh also declined his fifth-year option, and the 2023 first-round pick is now in Dallas.

After Jones' trade announcement on August 30 via Instagram, Pete’s release landed differently with Cowboys supporters.

The undrafted rookie had become one of the more recognizable players from Dallas’ preseason after his performance in Arizona and his connection with the Navajo Nation.

Pete became the first Navajo player to sign an NFL contract. Thousands of members of the Navajo Nation attended the Cowboys’ preseason game in Arizona, where Pete received a standing ovation after the team’s victory.

His locker-room speech later went viral, collecting more than 10 million views on social media.

Pete also appeared in all three preseason games and did not allow a quarterback pressure on 16 pass-blocking snaps.

Cowboys fans want Shiyaz Pete back

The reaction came quickly after Dallas announced the Jones trade. Fans filled the Cowboys’ Instagram comments with questions about Pete’s release and whether the team could find a way to bring him back.

“Don’t cut Pete. We need him,” one fan wrote.

Pete’s path to Dallas had already made his preseason run unusual. He originally walked on at New Mexico State before transferring to Kentucky, where he eventually started in the SEC.

Another added in the comment section that, “Should have kept Pete.”

The Cowboys also have reason to take another look at Jones. Against the New York Jets during the preseason, he surrendered five pressures and two sacks, according to Next Gen Stats, while his 72.9 PFN OL Impact grade in 2025 ranked 138th in the league.

“WHY DID U RELEASE Pete??” one supporter asked.

Dallas is clearly valuing Jones’ experience as it prepares for the regular season. For many fans, though, the timing of Pete’s release made the offensive-line move much harder to accept.

Another wrote, “We need Pete back!! We want Pete!!”

His performance and viral moment in Arizona turned him into a fan favorite, though his release does not necessarily end his time with the Cowboys. Pete must first clear waivers before Dallas can potentially bring him back on its practice squad.

"Damn…the world was excited for Pete," another fan wrote.

Dallas finished the preseason 2-1 and will open the regular season against the New York Giants on September 13.

Whether Pete gets another opportunity in Dallas could depend on what happens once he clears waivers.

Written by

Evince Das