Steelers' Broderick Jones Gets Simple Yet Stern Message About His Upcoming 2025 Season

After the quarterback position, the Pittsburgh Steelers are most criticized for their lack of ability to develop the offensive line in recent years. Going back to the days when the line was led by guys like Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, and Alejandro Villanueva, the Steelers once had one of the best fronts in the NFL. By 2021, the Steelers had to completely reset up front. It wasn't until Omar Khan became the general manager in late May of 2022, after that year's draft, that the group finally started to see some improvements. 

In Khan's first draft as the franchise's general manager, he traded up in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to draft offensive tackle Broderick Jones.They traded with the New England Patriots, sending them the 17th and 120th overall picks in exchange for the 14th pick. With Dan Moore Jr. and Chukwuma Okorafor being the team's starting tackles the year prior, Jones was being brought in to replace at least one of them. 

The initial hope was that Jones would be able to play left tackle, which is his preferred side of the line. However, Jones spent his first two seasons at right tackle with Moore remaining on the left side. With Moore now being elsewhere in the AFC after his contract expired, Jones has a chance to move over to left tackle with Troy Fautanu, Steelers' 2024 first round selection, being on the right side. 

Jones had a strong rookie season two years ago, but had some concerning struggles in his second season. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joined Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan on Friday morning and spoke about Jones entering 2025. Fittipaldo was critical of Jones' role this year after being told by a radio host that he is a major concern. 

"Broderick has to play better," Fittipaldo started about Jones. "He's gotta execute his assignments, he's gotta be better with his technique, all of that stuff doesn't have anything to do with playing on the right or left side. That's just basic taking the coaching and having your nose in the playbook."

Many have given Jones a slight pass for his struggles on the right side in 2024. While it may be very true that he prefers the left side, it doesn't change the fact that he spent his rookie season at right tackle as well. Jones' mistakes, which Fittipaldo alluded to, comes down to fundamentals and technique, which is not a viable excuse to be made.

The Steelers have a lot riding on Jones in 2025. He must have a big year for many reasons. Firstly, if the offense wants to make any improvements from last year, particularly in the outside running game, the offensive tackles, Jones and Fautanu, will need to execute. 

Jones also committed a lot of penalties in the passing game last season, which will need to be cleaned up. Another important thing to keep in mind is that the Steelers will not likely do business with Jones long-term if his third season is a flop. 

Steelers Have Lots Of Young And Promising Potential On Offensive Line

Along with Jones, Khan and the Steelers really attacked the offensive front in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick. Frazier and McCormick had strong rookie seasons on the interior part of the front, although Fautanu missed essentially the entire season due to injury. If Jones can bounce back in 2025 and the others continue to elevate, then the Steelers may have finally solved their issue at offensive line since losing Pouncey, DeCastro, and Villanueva.