ESPN predicts trouble ahead for Steelers' Broderick Jones

Yahoo Sports2h ago11 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

ESPN predicts that Broderick Jones of the Pittsburgh Steelers faces a challenging 2026 season, potentially losing his starting role due to a neck injury. He may not regain his position even after recovery, as the team has drafted Max Iheanachor and declined his fifth-year option.

Key points

Broderick Jones is recovering from a neck injury.
ESPN predicts he may lose his starting position.
Troy Fautanu and Max Iheanachor are potential replacements.
The Steelers declined his fifth-year option.
Jones faces an uphill battle heading into the 2026 season.

Pittsburgh SteelersBroderick JonesTroy FautanuMax Iheanachor

ESPN predicts trouble ahead for Steelers' Broderick Jones

Injured Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones is facing an uphill battle heading into the 2026 season, and ESPN recently predicted a worst-possible outcome for the 2023 first-rounder.

According to Ben Solak of ESPN, Broderick Jones is one of 14 veterans “on the hot seat” following the 2026 NFL Draft. Predicted to lose his starting position to the combination of Troy Fautanu and rookie Max Iheanachor, Jones may not be able to retake his starting position even when he fully recovers from the neck injury.

“This is an obvious one, so it's a good place to start. Mere days before the 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,” Solak wrote. “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.

“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. 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.”