Cyclones playing international basketball
Iowa State alumni are excelling in international basketball leagues.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially declined the fifth-year option on offensive tackle Broderick Jones, following the selection of another tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft. Jones, who has been recovering from a neck injury, would have been owed $19.1 million for the 2027 season if the option had been picked up.
After drafting Max Iheanachor with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the future of the Steelers 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones became murky to say the least. Just one week after selecting their third offensive tackle in the first round in the last four years, it became official that Pittsburgh would indeed decline the fifth-year option on Jones’s rookie contract.
The 19.1 million dollars the Steelers would have owed Jones for 2027 if they had decided to pick up the option would have put him inside the top-20 highest-paid players at the position for that season. Jones has not played since suffering a neck injury against the Chicago Bears on November 23rd.
That injury caused Jones to get surgery on his neck, and the severity of the injury is still not fully known. At the NFL Combine, Steelers general manager Omar Khan was asked about Jones and his availability for offseason programs and camps.
“He had a significant injury, and we’re monitoring how he progresses. I know he’s working hard.” Khan said via Mike DeFabo. “It’s still early in the process, but that’s certainly something that we’re monitoring.”
That answer certainly didn’t rule anything out, but the Steelers clearly had plans to look in a different direction. The Steelers still have control of Jones for the upcoming season, but the drafting of Iheanachor all but shuts the door on Jones’s time as a starting tackle in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers are likely to have two new starters on their offensive line to start the 2026 campaign. Max Iheanachor figures to slide into left tackle, while third-round pick Gennings Dunker and will likely have an open competition at training camp for the starting left guard position.
The Steelers declined Broderick Jones' fifth-year option due to his recovery from a significant neck injury and the recent drafting of another offensive tackle.
If the Steelers had picked up Broderick Jones' fifth-year option, they would have owed him $19.1 million for the 2027 season, ranking him among the top-20 highest-paid players at his position.
Broderick Jones is recovering from neck surgery, and his availability for offseason programs is still being monitored by the Steelers.
Iowa State alumni are excelling in international basketball leagues.
LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos speaks out against congested match schedule
James McCann of the Arizona Diamondbacks has set an MLB record for the most pitching appearances by a position player before the end of April. This unusual achievement highlights a unique aspect of his role on the team.
Lakers release injury report ahead of crucial Game 6 vs Rockets
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
What do you think of the Steelers declining the fifth-year option on Broderick Jones? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments down below!