Roster depth is a crucial dynamic of long-term success. Omar Khan’s front office used the 2026 NFL Draft to acquire prospects who fit the scheme. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ most recent class is raw but full of potential. This makes Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker rookies to keep an eye on.
Especially after the news surrounding Broderick Jones’ fifth-year option being declined.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Pittsburgh is expected to decline Jones’ fifth-year option for 2027. The decision would set him up to become a free agent after the upcoming season. It is a heavy development, but one that has felt inevitable.
It is hard to ignore Jones’ role up to this point. He has started 38 games across three seasons, which is valuable experience for a left tackle. But inconsistency and costly penalties have made his presence feel unreliable at times. In 2025, he started just eleven games after suffering a neck injury in Week 12.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones posted a 57.7 overall grade with a 50.6 mark in run blocking. Those numbers do not inspire confidence, especially paired with questions about durability. It becomes difficult to double down on a player without a clear trajectory or a return date.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a great position to decline Broderick Jones' fifth-year option
So the show keeps moving. And Iheanachor and Dunker appear next in line for larger roles.
Fans were confused when Pittsburgh used multiple draft picks on offensive tackles, but the decisions were calculated. Neither move came cheap. Max Iheanachor was the franchise’s first-round investment, while Gennings Dunker arrived as a valuable third-round addition.
The focus on athletic maulers with nonstop motors may have seemed unusual, but it was necessary. Offensive changes are expected under Mike McCarthy, and those changes start up front. At the same time, Pittsburgh still has not named a clear starting quarterback. That uncertainty can derail progress quickly if the foundation is not solid.
Fortunately, the Steelers invested in what could become two offensive pillars. It was not flashy, but it addressed a core issue that has lingered for too long.
Pittsburgh’s haul along the offensive line was far from pretty, but it was essential for the road ahead. Without stability in the trenches, building a competitive team is nearly impossible. Between Iheanachor’s athletic upside and Dunker’s versatility, the Steelers are better equipped to handle whatever comes next.
Whether it is an unavailable Broderick Jones or the responsibility of protecting a less experienced quarterback, there is now a plan in place.
Khan deserves credit for recognizing the issue and attacking it during the draft, even if the vision was not clear to everyone at the time.
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