The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles share one of the most bitter rivalries in the NFL. But that didn't stop Jerry Jones from making a deal that has Cowboys fans seeing red.
During the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Jones orchestrated a trade with Eagles GM Howie Roseman that sent the No. 20 overall pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder to Philadelphia in exchange for the No. 23 pick and two fourth-round selections. The Eagles promptly used that No. 20 pick to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon — a move that has Cowboys faithful convinced their own owner just handed the Eagles a future star.
Lemon put up massive numbers in his final college season: 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, with just one drop on 110 targets. He's the kind of explosive playmaker who could thrive alongside A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — assuming Brown isn't traded, which remains a hot topic.
One Eagles fan couldn't resist rubbing it in: “It’s kind of like history repeats itself, I appreciate you Jerry Jones. This is the same way how we got DeVonta Smith 5 years ago.”
That 2021 trade is still fresh in the minds of Cowboys fans. Back then, Dallas sent the No. 10 pick to Philadelphia, allowing the Eagles to draft Smith. The Cowboys used the No. 12 pick on Micah Parsons — a star, but one they later traded for two first-round picks. Smith, meanwhile, has been a consistent force with 385 catches, 5,019 yards, and 31 touchdowns in five seasons.
This time, the Cowboys used the No. 23 pick on UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence, a productive edge rusher. But for many fans, that's cold comfort.
“Dallas will never be a serious threat as long as Jerry serves as GM,” one fan declared. Another wrote on X: “Some Cowboys fan gotta tell Jerry to stop trading to the Eagles where a WR is available.” And perhaps the most biting: “Jerry Jones trading picks with the Eagles so the Eagles can beat the Cowboys easier is an amazing thing to watch.”
While the draft-night drama unfolded, other stories also grabbed attention. Travis Hunter's wife dropped brutally honest advice for NFL Draft WAGs, and Mina Kimes stunned in a black dress at the draft. But for Cowboys fans, the focus remains squarely on Jones' decision to help a division rival land a potential game-changer.
Whether Lemon becomes the next DeVonta Smith or just another promising rookie won't be known until the season unfolds. But one thing is certain: Jerry Jones has some serious explaining to do in Dallas.
