The Pittsburgh Steelers have until May 1 to decide on the fifth-year option for left tackle Broderick Jones, who is still recovering from a serious neck injury suffered in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears.
They now have a clearer picture financially for Jones’ fifth-year option, which will be fully guaranteed if picked up.
According to a memo from the NFL, Jones’ fifth-year option as a player that has achieved necessary playing time but no Pro Bowls carries a tag of $19,072,000.
Previously, the projected fifth-year tag for Jones was estimated at $19.949 million, so the official fifth-year tag for Jones comes in under that initial projection by more than $750k.
Prior to the neck injury, Jones was improving and was playing his way into the Steelers picking up the fifth-year option. In his first year at left tackle after two seasons at right tackle, Jones got off to a slow start in training camp and early in the season before turning things around.
He greatly reduced his penalties and was playing well in pass protection before suffering the freak injury against the Bears, ending his season and reportedly undergoing surgery. He was called for just one penalty in the 11 games he played before being lost for the season.
Asked about Jones’ medical outlook and his availability for the 2026 season, Steelers GM Omar Khan stated Tuesday at the Scouting Combine that it was a great question, and that the franchise was still working through things with the young offensive lineman.
When asked about the fifth-year option and a potential extension, Khan added that Jones’ medical outlook is playing a big part in that. On the season, Jones allowed just 23 pressures and six sacks, cutting his sacks allowed in half.
The emergence of Dylan Cook late in the season in place of Jones has created some additional debate for the Steelers regarding Jones’ fifth-year option. Cook played well in place of Jones and has some, including former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex believing Cook should be the starter entering training camp.
But Jones was Khan’s first-ever draft pick, moving up in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to land him at No. 14 overall out of Georgia. That has to play a factor, too, since Jones showed signs of improvement at left tackle and now has a chance to work with a new offensive line coaching tandem in James Campen and Jahri Evans.
Hopefully the Steelers get some good news on Jones’ medical outlook, helping making the decision on the fifth-year option once that is clear and decisive before the May 1 deadline.
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