Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has declared that he feels "really good" about the club's offensive line depth. However, that was followed by his vow to "always" try bolstering the group, making Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones' situation worth monitoring.
Jones appears to be falling out of favor in Pittsburgh — and fast. He was mentioned as one of 14 players on Ben Solak of ESPN's list of veterans "on the hot seat" after the 2026 NFL Draft. The 2023 No. 14 overall pick is evidently becoming expendable in real time, which could present an opportunity for the Packers to strike.
An ill-timed setback while recovering from a serious neck injury prompted the Steelers to spend their first-round selection this year on Jones' replacement. They then declined his fifth-year option for 2027. The sequence of events is why he's feeling the heat, as Solak expressed.
"It's not hard to read the writing on the wall here," Solak wrote. "Jones' play was already shaky enough that an early pick on a developmental tackle would have been more than justified."
OT Broderick Jones' shaky ground with Steelers may gift an opening for the Packers
The Packers let starting blindside protector Rasheed Walker walk in free agency this offseason to allow 2024 first-rounder Jordan Morgan to step in. Doing so left a hole on the roster that has yet to be filled; enter Jones, whose status with the Steelers seems to be murky.
Pittsburgh's actions suggest they aren't in the business of waiting for Jones to get back to full strength. Their premium investment in his successor, Max Iheanachor from Arizona State, was a clear indicator.
With that in mind, a fresh start may be in Jones' and Pittsburgh's best interests. Perhaps the Steelers try to recoup any value they can in a trade or release him if no market materializes. Either way, his possible availability might give the Packers a chance to address their O-line reserves by taking a flier on a high-upside reclamation project.
For what it's worth, though, Jones, who turns 25 on May 16, will presumably want to start somewhere if he winds up on another team. But his on-field struggles and health concerns make settling for a backup opportunity the more realistic outcome. Nevertheless, a combination of age, pedigree, positional need, and experience make him an intriguing name to watch for the Packers.
Across three seasons with the Steelers, Jones has made 38 starts. He's notably logged more snaps at right tackle than left, giving him true swing potential. The Georgia product allowed 23 quarterback pressures and recorded a 57.7 overall Pro Football Focus grade, good for 70th among 89 qualified tackles, in 2025.
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