One week Broderick Jones was spotted working out with teammates at the first phase of offseason workouts. The next week, Adam Schefter reported that he had suffered a setback. Omar Khan downplayed anything of the sort, but Pittsburgh went ahead and drafted an offensive tackle in the first round, raising further questions about Jones’ status.
At least one teammate isn’t buying the idea that anything has changed.
“I don’t know how true those rumors are that he is unhealthy,” Christian Kuntz said via The Christian Kuntz Podcast. “I know obviously he has his neck injury, but I don’t how true any of it [is], I’m pretty sure that he’s gonna make a full recovery.”
Kuntz and Jones were both at the Phase 1 workouts, so he should have a pretty good idea his of his teammate’s status. Unless something happened away from the facility, Jones may still be on track to play in 2026.
Jones is expected to make a full recovery, which is great news. But when?
“You never know,” Kuntz admitted. “You could kind of tell how they—they’re building the team inside out.”
Max Iheanachor has high upside, and is more ready to play than most think, but it wouldn’t hurt to give him a ramp into his rookie season similar to the one Jones had in 2023. Will Jones be healthy enough to compete for the starting left tackle job and potentially provide that bridge for Iheanachor?
It’s in everybody’s best interest to get Jones on the field next season. Unless Iheanachor blows everybody away in camp, Jones playing will help provide more info to his next team. Whether that’s the Steelers retaining him on a shorter prove-it deal or another team signing him away on a sizable contract to return compensatory draft pick value in 2028.
Prior to the talk of a setback, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported that Jones was ahead of schedule and would potentially ready by training camp. Who performed his surgery hasn’t been reported, but Dr. David Okonkwo on Pittsburgh’s staff is one of the top experts in spinal-fusion surgeries. He performed Asante Samuel Jr.’s last year in April and Samuel was cleared for football activities in November.
Jones’ surgery was in December after a Nov. 23 injury in Week 12 against the Bears. Judging by Samuel’s timeline, that would have Jones ready by July — or right around when training camp begins. With Dylan Cook and Max Iheanachor on the roster, there’s no need to rush him back if the Steelers need to wait until later in the preseason.
Very few teams have three first-round talents on their tackle depth chart to protect against in-season injuries. And with the arrow pointing up for Jones prior to his injury, it shouldn’t be assumed that he will lose the Week 1 starting job if healthy.

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