Exit Meeting: OT Broderick Jones
Experience: 3 Years
Broderick Jones has fallen out of favor, but for the time being, he is the presumptive left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ending last season with a neck injury, however, his first hurdle is earning medical clearance. The 2026 season is a huge one for him in many ways. And it figures to begin with him in a competition for his starting job.
The Steelers’ first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Broderick Jones was brought in to be the left tackle of this generation. He didn’t even start there for his first two seasons, however, as Dan Moore Jr. kept him at bay. He had his struggles, including injuries, but most considered him to have more talent than skill or discipline.
With Moore leaving in free agency in 2025, Jones moved over to left tackle last season. He struggled to adapt, despite playing most of his college football there. As the season progressed, however, he grew more comfortable. By the time of his neck injury, he was on a clear upward trajectory.
The problem is, Broderick Jones’ injury opened the door for challengers. The Steelers initially started Andrus Peat in his place, a veteran with ample experience. Swing tackle Calvin Anderson was also sidelined due to injury. That eventually led to practice squad OL Dylan Cook, who is suddenly in the thick of things.
Cook started the final five games of the Steelers’ season, including the playoffs. He earned very high marks from many, though the line as a whole struggled against the Texans’ fearsome pass rush in the Wild Card Round loss. Even Ben Roethlisberger said he believes Cook played better than Jones, and he likes Jones.
In the meantime, this is a financially significant offseason. The Steelers have to decide whether to pick up Broderick Jones’ fifth-year option. If they’re not convinced that he is their starting left tackle, that is hard to commit to. Picking up his option would guarantee a hefty salary for 2027.
Rather, this feels more like a prove-it year, and that starts with tasking Jones with beating out Cook. Possibly others, as well, and I don’t think we can rule out the draft for that. The Steelers’ new coaching staff will have to assess how they feel about him first. Perhaps they believe they can yet unlock something in him we haven’t seen.
The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at home, the inevitable result of another early playoff exit. This is a recurring pattern for the organization, but major change is coming. As the Steelers conduct their own exit meetings, we will go down the roster conducting our own. Who should stay, and who should go, and how? Who should expect a bigger role next season, and who might deserve a new contract? The resignation of Mike Tomlin makes those questions much more difficult to answer, but much more important. We’ll explore those questions and more in these articles, part of an annual series.