Steelers' Mike Tomlin Still Undecided On Offensive Lineman Broderick Jones' Side On The Line

The Pittsburgh Steelers got a good look at what Broderick Jones can do at the NFL level during his first season in the NFL. Jones got his first start in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens replacing an injured Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle. The University of Georgia product made his way back into the starting lineup in place of Chukwuma Okorafor at right tackle in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. He started the rest of the season on the right side, but was drafted as a left tackle and is expected by many to eventually move over to his natural side.

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin wasn't ready to make a definitive call on the future of his young stud tackle when he met with reporters at the league's annual meetings in Orlando on Sunday. Tomlin wasn't ready to commit to what side Jones would play at his season-ending press conference in January and despite having time to figure things out, had a similar answer now in March. A post on X, from The Athletic's Mark Kaboly, shared what insight Tomlin did give into the Jones position debate. 

"To be determined," Tomlin said. "We just got so much ahead of us in terms of player acquisition where any specific player ends up is subject to to who else is on our roster and the makeup of it." 

When General Manager Omar Khan was asked at the NFL Scouting Combine whether the team would be moving Jones to his natural side, he gave a much more definitive answer but didn't provide a timeline. Khan stated that Jones is a left tackle and he will be a left tackle eventually. The last word is doing a lot of work there. When Pittsburgh traded up to get Jones with the 14th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, many people thought the franchise had added their blindside blocker for potentially the next decade. 

It will be interesting to see how the right side, left side debate with Jones plays out. He got tons of credit for helping the Steelers' running game emerge when he got into the starting lineup at right tackle full-time. As Tomlin said, there's still plenty of time to make roster decisions. Heck, the 2024 NFL Draft hasn't even happened yet. Pittsburgh has some attractive options on the right side if they intend to get him on his natural side.   

Steelers Might Be Running It Back With Dan Moore Jr. 

Moore started for the Steelers from day one after the team selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He continued to start every game in his rookie season and got a start in the one playoff game. Those inside the Steelers facility have a much more affectionate view than those outside. While Moore has often frustrated fans to no end, he did improve his propensity for penalties in the 2023 season. After committing nine in the 2022 season, he only had three in one less game in 2023. 

Pittsburgh has a glaring need at center. James Daniels has played some center in the NFL but has only ever been a guard for the Steelers. Nate Herbig also has some experience in the position at the pro level but is probably not a sure bet to take it on full-time. With that, the Steelers are likely to address the position in the early rounds of the draft so even if Herbig or Daniels had to start the season at the position, they could hopefully hand the baton to a rookie.

The team can find a starting tackle in the later rounds, but it seems unlikely. In that case, Moore has 49 games of starting experience that the franchise is already comfortable with. In that scenario, Jones would kick back to the right. Khan said Jones will be a left tackle eventually, but when is still yet to be determined.