DeFabo: Broderick Jones could open season on IR

This is a bit surprising because the Cowboys had already had a competition for Tyler Guyton on the left side (that Guyton won), and it was assumed that Jones would come in and add to that competition. Not so fast. Steele just received a three-year contract this offseason and is on the books for a $15.2 million cap hit in 2027, so we’d be surprised if Jones won the job.

The former first-round pick has significantly underperformed his high draft capital during his four-year professional career but provides an upside-depth piece for a Cowboys team returning all five starters along the offensive line from a season ago. Jones now presumably settles in behind Terence Steele on the right side in Dallas. The remaining details of the deal were not immediately made available.

He did say they’d be “smart” about him and where he is strength and conditioning wise, so Jones may wind up taking a longer build up. But overall, this is a fairly positive update about a player who we weren’t completely sure would play in 2026 as recently as a few months ago.

Jones underwent surgery on his neck in March. The Steelers declined to exercise his fifth-year option early in May after spending the No. 21 overall pick on OT Max Iheanachor. Fellow Steelers OT Troy Fautanu also recently told reporters that the team wants him to move to left tackle. Jones was present at OTAs last week, but did not participate in team drills. It appears as though he will have to compete for a starting role this season. In today’s report, DeFabo shared a video of Jones doing sled work alongside OL Doug Nester, who was signed to a reserve/futures contract after being released last summer.

This comes from an article written by Chris Harlan of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, where Jones said the time continues to monitor him “day by day” as he works his way back from spinal fusion surgery. Jones was present at the Steelers’ OTAs this week but did not participate in team drills, and could face a battle for playing time with Troy Fautanu looking to move to left tackle, and rookie Max Iheanachor expected to man the right tackle position. Jones said his recovery is going well, but given the severity of the injury, it could be some time before we see him in action again.

Jones was in uniform and participated in warm-ups, but according to The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, he did not take part in any team drills. Jones is still working his way back from a neck injury that required a fusion surgery in March. Jones recently suffered a setback in his recovery, which likely factored into the team’s decision to decline his fifth-year option, but his presence at OTAs, even in a limited capacity, is an encouraging sign.

Jones is recovering from a neck injury he suffered last season, which required a fusion surgery that took place in March. The decision to decline Jones’ fifth-year option likely stems from this injury, both in the short term and the long term. While some doubt has already been cast on Jones’ readiness to start this season, the Steelers likely also want to see how he holds up over the course of the season once he returns. The fourth-year tackle has started 38 regular season games for the Steelers since being drafted 14th overall by them in 2023. He’s allowed 20 sacks and 95 pressures in those games, per PFF, and earned a 59.0 pass-blocking grade last season — a career-high. Given the Steelers’ decision to select OT Max Iheanachor at No. 21 overall in this year’s draft, it’s possible they are already planning for a future that may not include Jones as their bookend left tackle.

Jones played in just 11 games last season due to his injury and underwent fusion surgery in March. The team was already reporting that the former first-round pick may not be ready in time for training camp, but this latest setback raises his availability into further question. Schefter reports Jones will be examined later this week to determine where things stand, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Jones isn’t ready for the start of camp. Jones allowed 23 pressures and six sacks on 380 pass-blocking snaps last season, earning a PFF pass-blocking grade of 59.0.

Steelers GM Omar Khan said last week that Jones may not be ready for camp. We now know why. The third-year tackle underwent fusion surgery to repair a neck injury he suffered in Week 12 of last season, which undoubtedly puts a giant question mark on his timeline for return. To make matters worse for Jones, the Steelers will need to decide by May 1st if they will pick up the fifth-year option for him in 2027, or if they will allow his contract to expire after 2026. Jones has started 27 of the last 28 games he has played in for the Steelers and will be 25 at the start of next season. His status will be one to monitor as we draw closer to camp.

Jones missed Weeks 13-18 and the playoffs with the neck injury, which appears to be quite serious. Dylan Cook started Pittsburgh’s playoff game against the Texans and would appear to be the reasonable depth headed into the season if Jones — on the final year of his rookie contract — isn’t able to go from the jump.