Steelers' Mike Tomlin Makes Controversial Statement Defending Broderick Jones After Week 11 Struggles Against Baltimore

Right tackle Broderick Jones struggled again, getting called for penalties that led to a reporter asking Head Coach Mike Tomlin if he would consider benching him. Tomlin didn’t stutter; he was very clear when he defended Jones.

Tomlin doubled down on Jones, reiterating that he’s their right tackle, a talented player who is simply working through some errors. He emphasized that growing pains are part of the process for a young offensive lineman, especially when facing an elite Ravens defense in a big time rivalry game.

"I am not worried about that, you guys can write all you want," Tomlin said. "Broderick Jones is playing right tackle for us. He is going to continue to get better. He is a top-quality player in terms of his talent. He’s a young guy who is experiencing some on-the-job training. He and I will not blink. Keep writing."

Tomlin's message was crystal clear: Jones isn’t even on his radar as a concern. Despite a rough second season that started with struggles in the preseason, Jones showed flashes of promise with a strong performance in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders. 

However, his biggest hurdle remains the penalty flags that continue to haunt him. These penalties have come at critical moments, threatening to derail drives, but the Steelers managed to overcome those mistakes to secure the win on Sunday.

When the Steelers traded up to draft Jones, expectations were sky-high for his future in Pittsburgh. His rookie season showed steady progress, giving fans hope that he was on track to become a cornerstone of the offensive line. Yet, his sophomore campaign has been a step backward, marked by inconsistency. Still, Tomlin remains unfazed, chalking up Jones' struggles to the typical growing pains of a young lineman adjusting to the demands of the NFL.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Still Has A Ton Of Faith In Broderick Jones

Jones has shown flashes of his potential, but there’s still plenty of room for growth. Despite his struggles, Tomlin isn’t entertaining the idea of taking Jones out of the lineup. For now, he remains the Steelers’ right tackle, and Tomlin’s confidence in him is unwavering. 

Steeler Nation will be hoping Jones can clean up the costly penalties and return to the promising form he displayed as a rookie. While Tomlin’s controversial remarks suggest he has no concerns about Jones, fans are eager to see that trust shown in his play.

The Steelers are riding high after their gritty win against the Ravens, even if it wasn’t their best offensive showing. Missed opportunities in the red zone kept touchdowns off the board, but the team still found a way to grind out a victory. Now, with little time to dwell on their mistakes, the Steelers face a quick turnaround as they prepare to take on the Cleveland Browns under the primetime lights of Thursday Night Football.