Steelers' Broderick Jones Could Have A Legitimate Trade Market With Recent OT Trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a tough, but good spot on the offensive line for 2026 -- specifically the bookends. Going into 2025, the starting offensive tackles were Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones, with Fautanu playing his first full healthy season and Jones moving back to his natural left tackle spot. Jones had a very rocky campaign, however. He suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 12, which ultimately led to Dylan Cook becoming the starter. Cook played very well to end the season -- so well that he is currently now slated as the starting right tackle at Organized Team Activities (OTAs). 

With Jones' injury and Cook's uncertain future with the team, General Manager Omar Khan decided to select offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with the 21st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With the selection of Iheanachor, that leaves Jones as the odd man out. Due to his injury, Jones' status for Week 1 of the season is still unclear, but with a recent trade in the NFL, Jones could have a legitimate trade market. 

The Kansas City Chiefs recently traded young offensive tackle Wanya Morris to the Atlanta Falcons for a late-round pick swap. Morris was a third-round pick by the Chiefs in 2023, and like Jones, was a project player. Both Jones and Morris displayed similar traits: very athletic, but lacking on the technical side. Neither has been able to maintain a consistent level of dominant play, which is why the Chiefs moved on from Morris. 

NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler reported that Morris' agents, Joe DiBenedetto and Ken Sarnoff, said that multiple teams were interested in the former Oklahoma Sooners standout. 

Jones' development was hindered early in his career, largely due to playing out of position and questionable technique. In 2024, he looked unplayable at times, but in 2025, he was beginning to find his game until his injury. There's now likely no place for him in Pittsburgh, but he still has the first-round pick pedigree and could haul a draft pick for his services. 

Jones is entering a contract year, so any team acquiring him would have to offer him an extension to keep him around, but at just 25 years old, he could be worth the wait. A team like the San Francisco 49ers would make a lot of sense. The 49ers have one of the greatest left tackles of all-time on their unit in Trent Williams, but he is nearing the end of his Hall of Fame-caliber career. 

Perhaps Jones could sit out a season behind Williams and learn all that he can, along with embracing the 49ers' coaching staff. Due to his injury, Jones hasn't been able to really get into the weight room, which has caused him to lose some weight. Taking a season off to really focus on his technique and gain his strength back, all while learning from an all-time great, could be the turning point for Jones' career. 

Steelers Need To Make Some Calls

The Steelers have traded offensive line projects in the past, typically in August. They sent Kevin Dotson to the Los Angeles Rams and Kendrick Green to the Houston Texans. Neither of those players had the pedigree Jones possesses. Another team that would make sense for Jones is the Green Bay Packers, who lost their starting left tackle in free agency this offseason. With the uncertainty on Jordan Love's blindside, perhaps they could do business with the Steelers. 

It's unfortunate the way things have shaken out in Jones' young career thus far. While it's certainly not all his fault, he does bear some blame. However, the Steelers need to make a move and get some compensation, or Jones will leave in free agency for nothing. 

#SteelerNation