Steelers' Omar Khan Contradicts Adam Schefter As Important Report Is Denied

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming up on the 2026 NFL Draft, and the team currently holds the 21st overall selection in the event. Pittsburgh has 12 picks in total, with four of those picks landing on Day 2. It should be expected that the franchise is going to focus on addressing some of its major needs within those first five selections, and those needs can include wide receiver, left tackle, left guard, and areas of the secondary. The left side of the offensive line should be a main priority, especially with the possibility of a 42-year-old starting under center.

The Steelers have invested in the trenches heavily over the last several years, and most of the selections through the draft have been good. The only player that has truly struggled to find his groove in the NFL has been Broderick Jones, but that could be due to the constant position-flipping the team made him do to begin his career. He started at left tackle for the Steelers in 2025, and it was not pretty. He started to get somewhat better, but he suffered a neck injury against the Chicago Bears that kept him out for the remainder of the season.

Andrus Peat initially filled in for Jones, and eventually Dylan Cook became the starter. Cook played extremely well and surprised some people, but the organization cannot rely on such a small sample size with his lack of experience. It was reported on Monday morning that Jones suffered a setback, but General Manager Omar Khan seemed to refute that report during his press conference on Monday.

"Broderick, I know you guys will ask me about Broderick," Khan said. "Nothing's changed with Broderick. He's still working to try to get back to where he needs to be. Nothing's changed there. No new information since we last spoke in March."

The details of Jones' neck injury have not really been provided, but it is known that he had to have surgery. He is still recovering, although he was at Phase One of voluntary offseason workouts with the team, which was thought to be a good sign. Adam Schefter reported on Monday morning that Jones suffered a setback and would be evaluated by a doctor next week to see if he would be ready by training camp, but Khan seemed to note that there has not been a setback. 

Jones' status for the start of training camp and the 2026 season has been up in the air, but that is not because of a setback. That is just because of how severe and serious some neck injuries can be. Khan did not mention a setback for the left tackle, although that should not change whether or not the team is going to plan on finding a left tackle through the 2026 NFL Draft.

Jones has just one year left on his rookie deal, assuming the organization declines his fifth-year option. He has not played well enough to earn a second deal in Pittsburgh, so the Steelers need to start planning for the future. This means probably drafting a tackle on Day 2 of the event this year. That player may need to be on the field this year, and if not he could develop for 2027 when Jones might be playing elsewhere.

Steelers Do Have A Somewhat Reliable Option At Left Tackle

Cook did play well enough at left tackle near the end of the season to be considered for the starting job if Jones is not healthy enough to be ready by the start of the regular season. It's a small sample size as mentioned, but he is going to want to be on the field as it is a contract year for the undrafted player as he is set to hit restricted free agency in 2027.

What do you think about Khan shutting down the notion that Jones had a setback in his recovery? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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