Schefter reports that Jones suffered setback regarding neck injury

[Steeltime]

Obviously I have no clue how serious the setback might be or what that means for the 2026 season but the news is plainly not good. Neck injuries are a serious issue for NFL players and a guy who underwent spinal fusion suffering a setback is potentially very serious

 

[xjx]

His neck is hurt real bad. We need a replacement.

 

[Steel Maniac]

Pretty clear we have to address the O-line with our first round pick .

 

[Djfan]

He needs to hang up those cleats.

Sad.

 

[TheDudeAbides]

There are a decent number of OTs in this draft that should be NFL starters. The trick is getting a LEFT OT. I'm not sure there will be a left tackle that could start soon after round one.

 

[Steeltime]

Really bad luck for Jones and bad news for the Steelers. The draft has two legit NFL-caliber left tackles who could start day 1 and not imperil the QB, Mauigoa and Freeling. Both are long gone by pick 21. Blake Miller is a fallback, as is Caleb Lomu, both of whom are left tackles. Fano is awesome, but is a right tackle.

I think the Steelers are going to have to face reality and take either Miller or Lomu at 21. Dylan Cook is serviceable, he'll be okay, but the Houston game showed that he is not a top-tier LT.

 

[Steeltime]

There are a decent number of OTs in this draft that should be NFL starters. The trick is getting a LEFT OT. I'm not sure there will be a left tackle that could start soon after round one.

Agreed. Miller and Lomu are experienced, have the size and footwork needed, but starting them game 1 would be a real issue if the Steelers have a statue like Rodgers playing QB.

 

[KStilley]

This is a touchy subject due to the Jones shuffling but does the coaching staff move Fautanu to LT. he played there in college. The OT class seems to have a better selection at RT. I realize this places three people at a new position including whoever starts at left guard not to mention the possibility of selecting two more offensive lineman in the first three or four rounds, they’ll probably need to do that anyway if Jones is done and they keep Troy on the right side.

Not in love with moving Fautanu after getting a year under his belt, it’s possible the team believed he would have been a good LT but the Jones debacle at RT forced their hand.

Either way, it sucks that they’re forced to address both tackle and guard after investing so much draft capital in the 2022 and 2023 drafts.

 

[Drink IRON City]

This is a touchy subject due to the Jones shuffling but does the coaching staff move Fautanu to LT. he played there in college. The OT class seems to have a better selection at RT. I realize this places three people at a new position including whoever starts at left guard not to mention the possibility of selecting two more offensive lineman in the first three or four rounds, they’ll probably need to do that anyway if Jones is done and they keep Troy on the right side.

Not in love with moving Fautanu after getting a year under his belt, it’s possible the team believed he would have been a good LT but the Jones debacle at RT forced their hand.

Either way, it sucks that they’re forced to address both tackle and guard after investing so much draft capital in the 2022 and 2023 drafts.

NO, you don’t move Fautanu.

If you have to, you move up in the draft and get that “stud” LT that has been needed for awhile.

Moving Fautanu would be a RE-action type thing, something our previous coaching staff has done often (re-action)

That re-action move has put us in this type of problem many times over. (Think QB / Dan Moore to name a few)

We need PRO-ACTION and if that means spending draft capital to solidify the trench, then so be it.




Salute the nation

 

[Superman]

NO, you don’t move Fautanu.

If you have to, you move up in the draft and get that “stud” LT that has been needed for awhile.

Moving Fautanu would be a RE-action type thing, something our previous coaching staff has done often (re-action)

That re-action move has put us in this type of problem many times over. (Think QB / Dan Moore to name a few)

We need PRO-ACTION and if that means spending draft capital to solidify the trench, then so be it.




Salute the nation

Unless...

You move Fautanu to LT, then draft Ioane/Dunker/Rutledge/Parker at LG and snag a RT in the draft. Either way, we're looking at using two draft picks on the OL - LT and LG. Fautanu's acclimated to the NFL at this point and did play that position in college. RT is easier to find, as well.

However, if Monroe Freeling, Blake Miller or Max Iheanachor is at 21, you take one of those and keep Fautanu at RT. Then look for one of the previously mentioned LGs (minus Ioane who will go in the first).

 

[KStilley]

NO, you don’t move Fautanu.

If you have to, you move up in the draft and get that “stud” LT that has been needed for awhile.

Moving Fautanu would be a RE-action type thing, something our previous coaching staff has done often (re-action)

That re-action move has put us in this type of problem many times over. (Think QB / Dan Moore to name a few)

We need PRO-ACTION and if that means spending draft capital to solidify the trench, then so be it.




Salute the nation

Oh, it’s not pretty considering the past shuffle, reshuffle by the prior coaching staff. As Steeltime mentioned. I don’t see that guy available at our pick who’s going to step in his rookie year and perform adequately and the guys your talking about moving up for is so much draft capital that we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel at other positions of need and they’re not giving up early picks in next year’s draft.

I’m not in love with moving Faitanu but they are faced with some tough decisions with protecting Rodgers (I assume he’ll sign).