Broderick Jones
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Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan provided a positive update on left tackle Broderick Jones at the NFL's annual league meetings.
The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to be facing a grim scenario at left tackle with Broderick Jones this offseason. Jones suffered a neck injury on November 23 and missed the rest of the 2025 NFL season.
Not that Jones is completely out of the woods with his recovery. But Steelers general manager Omar Khan offered a positive update on the left tackle at the NFL’s annual league meetings Monday.
“He’s starting to do more and more,” Khan told reporters, via TribLive.com’s Chris Adamski. “I’ve talked to him a couple times over the last couple weeks, and he’s in a good place and ready to work hard and do whatever he can to be ready to go.”
That’s terrific news for Jones and the Steelers, especially considering the recent updates the team and media had on the left tackle.
Just last month at the NFL Scouting Combine, Khan didn’t have a lot of positive things to say about Jones’s recovery. Shortly thereafter, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo cast doubt on Jones’s playing status for the 2026 campaign.
Steelers’ Omar Khan Gives Positive Broderick Jones Update
Khan didn’t necessarily give a negative injury update while addressing Jones’s recovery at the NFL combine. But he stressed the seriousness of the injury and the unknown associated with it.
“Obviously, had a significant injury, and we’re monitoring how he progresses,” Khan told reporters, via Steelers Depot’s Joe Clark. “I know he is working hard. It’s still early in the process, and that’s certainly something that we’re monitoring.”
Then DeFabo offered the more pessimistic update on March 2.
“When left tackle Broderick Jones was injured in Week 12, the Steelers initially downplayed it and suggested he had a chance to return before the playoffs,” DeFabo wrote. “However, fusion surgery in Jones’ neck could be a major curveball that changes plans in the short and long term.
“By May 1, the Steelers have to decide if they’re picking up Jones’ fifth-year option, which comes with a $19.07 million price tag in 2027. The injury will likely affect that decision.
“But, honestly, that may be looking too far ahead. Khan balked when asked publicly if Jones will be healthy in time for training camp. Forget 2027, this could be something that impacts plans for 2026.”
With Jones’s status uncertain, over the past month, more NFL draft experts have projected the Steelers to draft a tackle in the first round this year. If the Steelers did that, they would have to wait until Day 2 to address their other offensive needs, including wide receiver and quarterback.
The Steelers, though, could elect to draft a tackle for depth and/or insurance on Day 2 or early on Day 3 if they see Jones on track to be ready for training camp.
On Monday, Khan didn’t say whether Jones would be healthy by July or not. But that appears to be at least on the table. That didn’t appear to be the case a month ago.
Steelers Face Critical Offseason Decision With Jones
The Steelers will probably truly reveal how they see Jones’s recovery going with what they do early in the draft. Another strong indicator of Jones’s health will be what the team elects to do with the left tackle’s fifth-year option.
As DeFabo indicated, the Steelers must decide whether to exercise Jones’s fifth-year option by May 1. If they don’t exercise the option, then Jones will be entering a contract season.
Should the Steelers exercise the option, Jones will receive a $19.07 million salary in 2027. His cap hit would also be the same, a rise of nearly $14 million. Jones’s cap hit in 2026 will be $5.29 million.
Jones showed signs of improvement before his neck injury in 2025. He was finally the team’s starting left tackle after two years of switching between left and right tackle.
Overall, Jones has been a disappointment as a former No. 14 overall pick. But he doesn’t turn 25 until May and, if healthy, will only be entering his second season as a full-time starter.