The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised some fans and analysts when they selected Arizona State right tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round of this year's draft, but it really shouldn't have been a shock to anyone paying close attention.
The first-round debacle revolving around USC wide receiver Makia Lemon aside, general manager Omar Khan pivoted to Iheanachor for good reason. 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones has struggled throughout his career at both tackle spots, and he is now dealing with a neck injury suffered in the back half of last season. If he can't get back healthy this year, Dylan Cook would have been the only option on the roster to start opposite of Troy Fautanu.
Based on news that broke late Thursday night, Jones' future with the Steelers seems bleak at best. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the team chose not to pick up his fifth-year option, making him a free agent following the 2026 season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers seem ready to move on from Broderick Jones following the 2026 season
The combination of the Iheanachor pick and the fifth-year option decision paints a rough picture for Jones' future with the Steelers, and perhaps in the NFL as a whole. His neck injury reportedly required spinal fusion surgery, something that has ended multiple players' careers in the past.
Even if Jones was guaranteed to be healthy this season, the Steelers would likely have declined his contract option. He has been one of the most maddeningly inconsistent players on the team over the past three seasons, alternating between brilliant flashes and unacceptable lowlights. I have always held the belief that you don't have to be dominant as an offensive lineman to be a starter, but you can't have multiple bad losses every game. Jones, unfortunately, does have that problem.
I would have liked the idea of trying the former Georgia Bulldog at guard, but the strong play of 2024 fourth-round pick Mason McCormick and the selection of Iowa OL Gennings Dunker this year make that unlikely. Maybe that is still his best chance of becoming a starting-caliber player in the NFL, but he would be more valuable to the Steelers as tackle depth if he can play this season.
I don't want to completely count Jones out before we see if he is ready to go for training camp, but every move the Steelers have made this offseason points to his career with the Steelers being all but over after this season.
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