Steelers' Broderick Jones Is "Weaker Link" On Offensive Line Yet No Change Is Coming

The Pittsburgh Steelers have sustained many injuries this season, including several to members of the offensive line. These injuries, along with a surprising step back from 2023's first-round draft pick, Broderick Jones, have created some new offensive woes. 

General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin recognized that a weak line was part of why multiple quarterbacks had struggled recently. They devoted their last two first-round picks to strengthening the line. They also drafted a new center and guard, and signed Isaac Seumalo. These new players joined Dan Moore Jr. and James Daniels, and the line steadily improved. 

Then Daniels, Troy Fautanu, and Zach Frazier went out with injuries. Jones was now forced to start across from Moore. Jones is not playing as well as he did in 2023, and many are speculating about why. Some believe that Jones is giving up because he is angry he isn't playing on his preferred left side, while others think he might still be injured, or that he might just need time.

Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show joined The Joe Starkey Show on 93.7 The Fan. Starkey asked Kaboly about Jones and Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer's comment that Jones needs to work on his "focus."

"He [Pat Meyer] used the word focus, but he clarified it later; he just needs to be a little bit more on his details," recounted Kaboly. "Then, pretty much said the guy is very young, extremely young, a guy who has not played a lot of snaps in the NFL and in college, and it takes time. Not only did he double down, he made it crystal clear that Dan Moore is his left tackle, and there is no debate over that."

Starkey said he could understand if Jones made a few mistakes or a "mistake of aggression" or eagerness. Those tendencies are common to young players and can easily be coached. However, he feels that Jones isn't aggressive enough this year. Kaboly agreed that Jones looked much better and was more eager last season.  

"He looked like he was on that upward track to being a solid right/left tackle in this league for a decade," said Kaboly. "Sometimes, things get in your head. You go into slumps. Offensive linemen can go into slumps just like everybody else does. It's just a matter of cleaning up some things in their eyes, and he will be ok. Obviously, he's probably one of the weaker links right now on that offensive line. Now, that doesn't mean that he will continue down that path. I still think he has a ton of talent. I think the worst thing that may have happened to him was the success he had early last year. We project that to get better this year, and sometimes that doesn't always pan out."

In the recent game against the New York Giants, Jones received a facemask penalty that negated a George Pickens touchdown. Meyer will have the upcoming bye week to get Jones back on track before the Steelers face much tougher opponents during the second half of the season. 

Steelers' Broderick Jones' Problems Link Back To Georgia

Steelers tight end Darnell Washington played with Jones at the University of Georgia. He recently spoke to former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats on his podcast. He said that one problem about playing for a college team as dominant as Georgia is that all the players are so much stronger than the opponents. 

According to Washington, this means that everyone doesn't have to give 100% max effort on every snap because you are surrounded by so much talent. Then, the player gets to the pros, and everyone they face is that good, which exposes weaknesses. 

This supports Kaboly's suggestion that Jones possibly just needed some more time. Kaboly pointed out that Jones only started eight games at Georgia and didn't play a full season as a rookie. 

Do you think Jones will be able to get back on track? Click to comment below. 

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