Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones during a game against the New York Jets on Sept. 7, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan must choose whether to pick up left tackle Broderick Jones’ fifth-year option by May 1. Jones, a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, suffered a neck injury against the Chicago Bears in Week 12, which sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Khan raised eyebrows when he revealed at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis that the Steelers are monitoring whether Jones will be ready for the start of training camp.
“Obviously, he had a significant injury and we’re monitoring how he progresses,” Khan said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I know he’s working hard. It’s early in the process. That’s certainly something that we’re monitoring.”
Mike DeFabo of The Athletic provided some clarity of Jones’ neck injury. DeFabo reports that Jones underwent fusion surgery.
“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. However, fusion surgery in Jones’ neck could be a major curveball that changes plans in the short and long term,” DeFabo wrote.
Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones during a game against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 12, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
According to the Cleveland Clinic, spinal fusion is a surgery procedure that reinforces your back structure and stability by linking two vertebrae together. The vertebrae support each other, with the goal of reducing pain and easing symptoms related to your spinal cord and nerves. Typical recovery lasts 3–6 months for daily activity, though full bone fusion can take a year.
Recent former Steelers — Trenton Thompson and Ryan Watts — both retired due to neck injuries. There’s been no indication that Jones’ injury is career threatening. But his status for 2026 is currently uncertain.
Jones started 11 games at left tackle last season, taking over for Dan Moore Jr., who left to join the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Jones mainly played right tackle before that.
With the NFL salary cap being set this past Friday, the price tag for Jones’ fifth-year option will be $19.072 million.
Mentioned In This Article: Broderick Jones Omar Khan Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers News