Steelers Now
Pro Football Focus named one player from each NFL team that’s heading into a make-or-break season in 2025. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, PFF tabbed left tackle Broderick Jones.
Jones struggled mightily at right tackle last season. He’s now moving to left tackle this season, which is considered his natural position. If things don’t pan out at LT, the Steelers might have missed on their 2023 first-round selection.
“The Steelers desperately need production and continuity at offensive tackle, especially with Aaron Rodgers lined up to be their starting quarterback,” Dalton Wasserman of PFF wrote. “Former first-round pick Broderick Jones spent the vast majority of his first two seasons at right tackle and struggled to a 58.5 PFF overall grade.
“This season, Jones will move to left tackle, where he played in college. If he and fellow youngster Troy Fautanu struggle to protect Rodgers, Pittsburgh could have serious issues scoring points.”
Broderick Jones will be protecting the blind side of 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2025. He’ll have to be on his ‘A’ game, as the offense will run through Rodgers. If Rodgers gets injured, the Steelers’ entire plans in 2025 will blow up in smoke.
At minicamp last 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].”
Broderick 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.
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