Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones will switch to left tackle this season after playing his first two seasons on the right side. At minicamp this past week, Jones admitted that he’s not quite there on his comfortability with his new role.
“I think it went as good as it could go,” Jones said. “You know, with everything going on — with me moving back to [LT] from [RT]. I still got a couple more weeks to hone in on my skills and continue to develop on the left side — and come in ready for [training camp].
“If I’m being honest, I think I probably do need a couple more weeks. Not saying I’d be bad, but just for me. Just to feel like I’m in the mindset to play an actual game — versus somebody else other than going against Alex Highsmith or Nick [Herbig].”
Jones never complained about spending his first two seasons at right tackle, and steadfastly refused to blame his struggles over those season on him playing a new positions.
But it’s always been clear that Jones wanted to be on the left side. He also said during OTAs that it feels more natural for him to play there.
“It does,” Jones said. “When they initially moved me to right tackle and then I played there for so long and then they tried to make me like the swing tackle, it was kinda funky. But, I knew I would be going back to left.”
Through two seasons, Jones has struggled in pass protection — an area that was obviously not his strength coming out of Georgia. He allowed 11 sacks last season, according to charting by Pro Football Focus.
Perhaps the change to left tackle could be beneficial to Jones. If not, the Steelers will be looking for a replacement. To say the least, this will be a crucial Year 3 for the Georgia product.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Broderick Jones Explains Approach to Switching to Left Tackle
