Steelers' Omar Khan May Have His Price To Trade Broderick Jones After Commanders Disaster

The Pittsburgh Steelers have watched Broderick Jones battle his way back from spinal fusion surgery while attempting to prove his future still belongs in the Steel City. His return has given Pittsburgh valuable offensive line depth, but another team's sudden emergency has created an intriguing hypothetical trade opportunity.

The Washington Commanders recently lost star left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps that will require surgery. He is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2026 NFL season, leaving Washington without the player responsible for protecting Jayden Daniels' blind side. That development immediately generated speculation about whether Washington could call Steelers General Manager Omar Khan about Jones. 

Pittsburgh has not indicated that it is actively shopping the former first-round pick, but longtime Steelers insider Gerry Dulac believes Khan could listen under the right circumstances. During Dulac's latest Pittsburgh Post-Gazette chat, a reader proposed sending Jones to Washington for a conditional second-round pick and a late-round selection swap.

"A second-round pick? Really?" Dulac responded. "I think [Khan] would listen if someone offered a No. 2 pick for a player fighting back from spinal fusion surgery."

Dulac's initial reaction is important because a second-round return appears extremely ambitious. Jones has starting experience and intriguing physical ability, but his injury history, inconsistent performance and uncertain future in Pittsburgh would likely lower his current trade value.

Some outside projections have placed Jones' value closer to a late-round selection, potentially somewhere between the fifth and seventh rounds. That would make a conditional second-round pick an exceptional return for Pittsburgh, but Washington's desperation could give Khan additional leverage if the Commanders decide their internal options are not enough.

The Steelers should immediately accept a second-round offer if it genuinely arrives. Jones still has value during an all-in 2026 season, but premium draft capital would give Pittsburgh another significant resource as it prepares to eventually replace a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers. 

That does not mean Pittsburgh should rush to trade Jones for considerably less. Rodgers needs every possible layer of protection during his final NFL season, and Jones gives the offensive line an experienced option who appeared to be improving toward the end of 2025 before suffering his neck injury.

Jones' future remains difficult to predict. Khan traded up during the 2023 NFL Draft because the Steelers believed Jones could develop into a cornerstone tackle, but there may only be roughly a 25% chance that he ever becomes the player Pittsburgh originally envisioned. The organization already declined Jones' fifth-year option, making it increasingly difficult to imagine him remaining with the Steelers beyond the 2026 season. That decision does not guarantee his departure, but it demonstrates that Pittsburgh was unwilling to make another expensive commitment without seeing substantial improvement.

Steelers Could Wait For Broderick Jones' Price To Rise

The best move may be keeping Jones through the beginning of the season. If he proves that he is healthy and performs well when given opportunities, his market could change considerably before the NFL trade deadline.

An injury elsewhere could also create another desperate buyer. Contending teams become far more aggressive when protecting their quarterback turns into an immediate emergency, and Jones would be more attractive if he puts quality 2026 film behind the concerns surrounding his spinal fusion surgery.

Pittsburgh can afford to remain patient because rookie Max Iheanachor has generated considerable confidence from Head Coach Mike McCarthy and offensive line coach James Campen. If their optimism proves justified, Jones could become a valuable luxury instead of an essential starter.

Trading him would still reduce Pittsburgh's margin for error. One injury can expose the depth of any offensive line, and moving Jones would remove an experienced player from a room responsible for protecting the most important piece of the Steelers' championship pursuit.

The prediction is that Jones remains in Pittsburgh entering the regular season. Washington may need help, but a second-round offer currently feels unrealistic, and Khan should not surrender meaningful depth for a late-round return merely because Jones' long-term future appears uncertain.

However, Dulac identified the price that could make the conversation serious. If Jones proves he is healthy and another contender becomes desperate, Khan may eventually receive an offer that is too valuable to ignore.

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