The Green Bay Packers might still need some addition offensive tackle depth this offseason. Fansided’s Lombardi Avenue’s Lior Lampert connected the dots on a potential depth solution this week — Broderick Jones.
Lampert argued the Packers should kick the tires on pursuing the former first-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers this summer.
The Packers writer suggested Jones, who may be falling out of favor in Pittsburgh, could be a reclamation project in Green Bay.
“Pittsburgh’s actions suggest they aren’t in the business of waiting for Jones to get back to full strength. Their premium investment in his successor, Max Iheanachor from Arizona State, was a clear indicator,” wrote Lampert.
“With that in mind, a fresh start may be in Jones’ and Pittsburgh’s best interests. Perhaps the Steelers try to recoup any value they can in a trade or release him if no market materializes. Either way, his possible availability might give the Packers a chance to address their O-line reserves by taking a flier on a high-upside reclamation project.”
Jones has started 38 games over three seasons for the Steelers. He ended the 2025 campaign on injured reserve because of a neck ailment.
The Steelers moved up in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Jones at No. 14 overall.
Why Broderick Jones Could Fit With Packers
Lampert formed his argument on the Packers pursuing Jones based on ESPN’s Ben Solak including Jones on his list of veterans “on the hot seat” after the 2026 NFL Draft.
“ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jones had suffered a setback while recovering from his neck injury, and that his 2026 training camp and Week 1 availability were in question,” wrote Solak. “Then the Steelers selected Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round (admittedly after trying and failing to draft a receiver).
“One week later, the Steelers declined Jones’ fifth-year option.”
While Jones was a first-round tackle just three years ago, the Steelers have selected two more tackles in the first round since then. In addition to Max Iheanachor this year, Pittsburgh took Troy Fautanu during the 2024 first round.
The Steelers could move forward with Iheanachor and Fautanu as their starting tackles as early as this season, especially if Jones doesn’t return healthy this summer.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has told reporters this offseason he likes his offensive line’s depth. At left tackle, though, Green Bay lost Rasheed Walker in NFL free agency.
Former first-rounder Jordan Morgan will replace him. But perhaps Jones could offer more upside as a Packers backup than other depth tackle options on the roster.
Will Steelers Move on From Jones Before 2026 NFL Season?
While the writing does appear to be on the wall for Jones’s future in Pittsburgh, that doesn’t mean the Steelers will move on from him before this fall.
Jones has one year remaining on his rookie contract. That means he’s affordable even as a backup.
Jones will also only be a backup if two things happen — he comes back healthy and Iheanachor wins a starting tackle job. Furthermore, if Iheanachor starts, Fautanu will probably have to flip to left tackle if Jones is going to the bench.
Iheanachor is a long shot to be a direct replacement for Jones at left tackle in 2026.
The Steelers may still view Jones as a starter in 2026 while Iheanachor, who is a developmental project, learns from the bench.
Yes, the Steelers selected Iheanachor in part because the team is unclear about Jones’s 2026 status. He sustained a serious neck injury on November 23.
But if he’s not healthy, then he’s not going to be helping the Packers offensive line depth this fall.
Jones could be an intriguing reclamation project for NFL teams next spring. At that time, depending on how this fall goes, the Packers could pursue the former first-rounder.
But acquiring him for the 2026 campaign seems unlikely.
Packers Urged to Pursue Former 1st-Round Tackle as Potential Flier