The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a tough decision that could signal the end of a short era for one of their recent first-round picks. Just three seasons after selecting offensive tackle Broderick Jones with the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the team appears to be preparing for a change at the position.
Fast forward to the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Steelers once again used a first-round pick—this time the 21st overall selection—on a tackle: Max Iheanachor out of Arizona State. While it's common for teams to add depth, the circumstances surrounding Jones' recent struggles and injury history suggest this move is about more than just building for the future.
According to ESPN's Ben Solak, the writing has been on the wall for a while. "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."
When a team declines a fifth-year option on a former first-round pick, it's rarely a vote of confidence. For Jones, it's the latest sign that his time as a starter in Pittsburgh may be coming to an end.
Even before the injury, Jones' performance had been a concern. His 85.0% pass block win rate ranked 65th out of 68 qualified tackles last season—a stat that hardly inspires confidence in a starting left tackle. "Jones' play was already shaky enough that an early pick on a developmental tackle would have been more than justified," Solak noted. "But now that his long-term health is in question, the Steelers urgently needed a succession plan."
The Steelers' front office didn't have the luxury of hoping for a bounce-back season from Jones. Instead, they acted decisively. Assuming Jones' neck injury remains a factor, Iheanachor is expected to get first-team reps in training camp and has an inside track to start in Week 1. If he performs well, it would be surprising to see Jones reclaim his starting role once he returns to full health.
For a franchise that prides itself on toughness in the trenches, this move underscores a simple truth: in the NFL, production matters more than draft pedigree. The Steelers may have invested a first-round pick in Jones just three years ago, but the game waits for no one—especially when a promising rookie is ready to step in.