Who Is on the Hot Seat After the NFL Draft? 14 Veterans in Jeopardy
B. Jones, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers
This is an obvious one, so it’s a good place to start. Mere days before the draft, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jones had suffered a setback while recovering from his neck injury, and his 2026 training camp and Week 1 availability were in question. Then the Steelers selected Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round (admittedly after trying and failing to draft a receiver). One week later, the Steelers declined Jones’ fifth-year option.
It’s not hard to read the writing on the wall here. Jones’ play was already shaky enough that an early pick on a developmental tackle would have been more than justified. His 85.0% pass block win rate was 65th among 68 qualified tackles last season. But now that his long-term health is in question, the Steelers urgently needed a succession plan.
Assuming Jones’ neck injury remains a factor, Iheanachor will likely get first-team reps in training camp and accordingly an inside track to start in Week 1. If his play holds water, it would be surprising to see Jones get back on the field as the starter once he finally returns to health.
Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers
Outside of metropolitan Charlotte, Legette enjoys some cover from Buffalo’s Keon Coleman among disappointing receivers from the 2024 draft class (Coleman…
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Broderick Jones is officially on the hot seat. The Steelers had no choice but to replace him with a younger, fresher option.
