Steelers Now
With Aaron Rodgers set to wear the black and gold this upcoming fall, one of the bigger questions surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers is what the offense will look like in 2025. The four-time MVP is surely ready to move past his disastrous stint in New York and end his well-decorated career on a high note. In order for that to transpire, he’s going to need the offensive line, particularly the young bookend tackles, to live up to their first-round billing.
But at least we know that they won’t be completely thrown to the wolves.
Arthur Smith returns for his second season as the Steelers’ playcaller, and while his offense hasn’t produced great results in recent years, there are some schematic elements in place that make life a little easier on linemen. Beyond being a run-first attack, the unit ranked middle of the pack in play action and featured designed rollouts at the 5th highest rate in the league per SIS.
Moving the launch point is a natural complement to their outside-zone heavy system and helps keep defenders off balance by changing their rush path. It certainly doesn’t hurt matters that they also happen to employ a 285-pound tight end in Darnell Washington that can moonlight as a pass protector every so often.
Arthur Smith's offense ran the 6th most designed bootlegs in the NFL last year.
Aaron Rodgers on those concepts last season:
25/38
283 yards
7.4 YPA
4 touchdowns
0 interceptions pic.twitter.com/b6grungHU5— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) June 16, 2025
While Smith’s offense reduces the amount of true drop-back pass sets, both the present and future of the Steelers’ offensive line partially depend on Broderick Jones’ development. His sophomore season was a step in the wrong direction, as he was one of three tackles that allowed double-digit sacks last season, according to PFF. Now moving back to the left side, where he’s admitted that he’s more comfortable, the coaching staff has all but eliminated excuses for his struggles moving forward. The physical talent is there.
Nice rep from Broderick Jones in pass pro.
Defender is trying to attack his outer half, win with speed around the corner.
Jones does a nice job moving his feet and riding him up the arc and out of the play completely. pic.twitter.com/5ZybIv8uHZ
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) August 12, 2023
Simply switching sides will hopefully help, but won’t be the end-all, be-all as it pertains to fixing his technique, and those quick losses from the blind side will be more difficult to navigate with a 42-year-old quarterback that doesn’t move very well at this stage of his career.
Jones was a raw prospect coming out of Georgia that needed time, but year three is somewhat of a make-or-break season for him. Pittsburgh will have to make a decision next offseason on whether or not they wish to pick up his fifth-year option. A breakout season will make the trying...
