Steelers' Jones Faces Make-or-Break Season

0:00On May 1st, the Pittsburgh Steelers just passed on the 5th year option for left tackle Broderick Jones, their former first round draft pick. That means he'll hit unrestricted free agency after the 2026 season. Teams had until May 1st to decide, and this one was no surprise. Jones has struggled big time over his first three NFL years. They moved him from right tackle to the left side last season, but he still gave up six acts and 23 pressures in just 11 games. Now he's got a maker break year ahead. Fans and analysts aren't shocked, given his track record. He's been the go-to guy at left tackle, but the pressure is mounting with the team's line-needing stability. Pittsburgh's front office clearly wants options beyond him, long-term. Adding to the drama, Jones hit a snag recovering from offseason neck surgery, so his status for week one is shaky. The Steelers grab Max E. Hanakor at number 21 in the 2026 draft as a smart backup plan. Either way, Jones's time in the Steel City feels like his winding down fast, setting up

1:04a pivotal season where he fights to prove his worth or moves on.