Broderick Jones had spinal-fusion surgery after suffering a season-ending neck injury in Week 12. With that type of injury, his status is firmly in question for the 2026 season.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo and Gerry Dulac provided an update this morning on his status.
“The Steelers appear to have a more-hopeful-but-still cautious outlook about the recovery of left tackle Broderick Jones,” they wrote. “The team’s No. 1 draft pick in 2023 could be ready for training camp in July after having neck surgery in December. His timetable might be six months, not nine months.”
Steelers GM Omar Khan said “good question” and called it a serious injury when asked about Jones’ status at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine late last month, casting some doubt on his recovery timeline. This latest report is a good indication that Jones will have a chance to salvage what’s remaining of his rookie contract in Pittsburgh.
With Jones a 2023 first-round pick, the Steelers have a fifth-year option decision due in May. Picking that up wouldn’t have been a slam dunk even if Jones was healthy, so the injury makes it unlikely they exercise his 2027 option. It is $19,072,000 and it also fully guarantees his 2026 salary if exercised.
Jones was enjoying a bounce-back 2025 season at left tackle, his natural position and where the Steelers drafted him to play. It wasn’t perfect, but he reduced his penalties, cleaned up his mental game, and showed progress with his technique before getting hurt.
Now he has an uphill battle to return in time for camp, and competition at his position even if he makes it back in time. Dylan Cook played well in four starts at the end of last season. While playing against top pass rushers like Myles Garrett, Aidan Hutchinson, and Bradley Chubb, Cook allowed just one sack and six total pressures in five regular-season games played.
Will Jones even get the first crack at the starting job if he returns in time for the start of camp? His status as a first rounder helps, but an entirely new coaching staff wipes the slate clean, and Mike McCarthy and Co. might like what they saw on tape from Cook at the end of the 2025 season.
Ultimately, everything comes back to the injury. A spinal fusion is not a routine procedure for an NFL offensive lineman, and even if Jones is able to return around training camp, there are no guarantees how quickly he’ll regain his form. The Steelers may be hopeful about the timeline, but they’ll still have to see how Jones responds once he’s back on the field. Until then, questions about his fifth-year option, his place in the starting lineup, and even the trajectory of his career in Pittsburgh will remain tied to the outcome of his recovery.
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