Just before the 2026 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers were given the news that offensive tackle Broderick Jones suffered a setback in recovering from the neck injury he suffered back in late November of 2025, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Steelers then selected Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor with the No. 21 overall pick.
Granted, Iheanachor was seemingly not the Steelers’ first choice in the opening round. They were on the phone with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, albeit prematurely, before the Philadelphia Eagles traded with the Dallas Cowboys to select him at No. 20 overall.
Nevertheless, Iheanachor is a Steeler—and that could present trouble for Jones’ future.
Broderick Jones Facing Pressure After Steelers Draft Max Iheanachor
Not only did the Steelers draft Iheanachor in the first round, they also declined Jones’ fifth-year option one week later. ESPN’s Ben Solak believes Iheanachor’s selection has now placed Jones firmly on the hot seat.
“It’s not hard to read the writing on the wall here. Jones’ play was already shaky enough that an early pick on a developmental tackle would have been more than justified,” Solak wrote. “His 85.0% pass block win rate was 65th among 68 qualified tackles last season. But now that his long-term health is in question, the Steelers urgently needed a succession plan. Assuming Jones’ neck injury remains a factor, Iheanachor will likely get first-team reps in training camp and accordingly an inside track to start in Week 1. If his play holds water, it would be surprising to see Jones get back on the field as the starter once he finally returns to health.”
Jones was another first-round tackle taken by the Steelers back in 2023, 14th overall, but he hasn’t lived up to that draft status.
He has since made 38 starts, appearing in 45 games overall, allowing 22 sacks in three seasons, including a career-high of 11 in 2024.
Iheanachor, who was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States at 13 years old, only began playing football at the community college level before transferring to Arizona State. That said, he doesn’t have a ton of experience, appearing in 32 games for the Sun Devils over three years. He didn’t allow a single sack in 2025.
Could Broderick Jones Be Trade Candidate For Steelers?
If Iheanachor is the future for the Steelers at left tackle, then what future does Jones have?
He’s set to play the 2026 season with a base salary of $1.5 million, and as mentioned, his $19 million fifth-year option was declined, according to Spotrac. If his time is ticking in Pittsburgh, would they consider trading him? Former offensive lineman Trai Essex believes he should consider it.
“With Broderick, I think it might be prudent for him to maybe request a trade because I think he still has a lot of value, a lot of athleticism. He’s still young, and he’s shown that he is capable of playing and improving throughout the year. And so, I think he still might be the odd man out when you consider that we have two first-round tackles probably ahead of him right now,” Essex said on The Snap Count podcast with co-host Charlie Batch.
The Steelers have now drafted offensive tackles in three of the last four years in the first round. The other was Troy Fautanu in 2024, who has played well at right tackle.
It’s doubtful Pittsburgh would be willing to trade Jones this year, especially while getting Iheanachor established. Then again, it may be an option—especially if the Steelers feel they don’t have a good answer at quarterback if Aaron Rodgers decides not to return.
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