The Pittsburgh Steelers have positioned Broderick Jones at left offensive tackle, the role they initially envisioned for him when they drafted him. However, this transition was not immediate. “I’m not going to predict when or what year,” General Manager Omar Khan stated during training camp at Saint Vincent College last summer.
After being selected 14th overall in the 2023 draft, Jones’ opportunity on the left side has finally come two seasons later. With Troy Fautanu, last year’s No. 1 pick, slated as right tackle after missing most of his rookie season due to injury, the Steelers aim to establish a solid foundation on their offensive line.
“We have two good, young, athletic tackles that should have years of successful football ahead of them in the NFL,” said Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer.
Jones was initially perceived as a potential starter after beginning 19 out of 32 games during his college career at Georgia. Despite Dan Moore Jr.’s consistent performance at left tackle and Chukwuma Okorafor’s less impactful play on the right side, Jones spent much of his rookie season playing right tackle.
Last season also saw Jones starting as right tackle until Fautanu took over in Week Two against Denver. However, an injury sidelined Fautanu for the rest of the season after playing only 55 snaps in that game.
With Moore now with Tennessee via free agency and Fautanu back from injury, Jones is set to return to his original position on the left side. Khan seems closer to finding a resolution with this setup.
Meyer commented on this transition by saying: “He may feel more comfortable there; it wasn’t like he had had a million reps.” He emphasized that moving positions is part of being a professional player and expressed confidence in Jones’ ability to adapt and perform well: “We move him to left; he feels more natural there.”
As Jones enters his third NFL season having started most games on the right side, he remains optimistic about returning to left tackle: “Confidence is always high…Being back on the left I feel like it’s a bigger boost for me.”
Meyer highlighted consistency as key for Jones moving forward: “We gotta be more consistent…and he’s working to do that.”
Jones will look to build upon his experiences and solidify his place within Pittsburgh’s lineup this upcoming season.
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