Steelers' Broderick Jones Likely Thrilled After Shocking NFL News

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been focused in recent years on upgrading the line on the offensive side of the ball. With a clear goal of running the football in mind, investments were made in the early rounds of drafts, including the additions of first-round linemen Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu. Injuries throughout the group have prohibited Jones from playing on his natural side, which is the left, and Fautanu barely played during his rookie season. This is all expected to change in 2025 with the probable departure of Dan Moore Jr. If the duo can stay healthy, they could be lethal on the bookends.

No one is even close to giving up on Fautanu, as he showed promised in the limited action he saw during his first professional season. Jones has been forced to play the majority of his snaps on the right side, which many believe has hindered his ability to develop. There has been a recent trend in Pittsburgh regarding the coaching staff playing offensive linemen out of position, affecting certain individuals' abilities to grow as players.

Fautanu could potentially move to the interior of the line, but with Isaac Seumalo and Mason McCormick both under contract in 2025, the 2024 first-round pick should be the Steelers' starting right tackle. This would finally allow Jones, in his third season, to move to the left side. It's no easy task, but it is a position that comes more natural to him.

The AFC North is a tough place to play left tackle, but it may have gotten a little bit easier on Monday. Cleveland Browns star pass rusher, Myles Garrett, announced that he has requested a trade. That will likely leave Jones smiling ear-to-ear simply because the prospect of not having to go up against Garrett twice a year would make his job just a little bit more manageable.

It is often said that to be the best, one has to beat the best. That's true, but no one is going to be upset if Garrett departs the AFC North. He is irreplaceable and regardless of who would potentially come in to help Cleveland, the challenge won't be as difficult for a left tackle like Jones. For a lineman that has seemingly struggled with confidence and consistency, not having to face a game-wrecker like Garrett would make the 2025 campaign much more simple.

There is still hope for Jones moving forward, but he will have to show the Steelers' brass significant improvement in 2025 if he wants to tempt the franchise to pick up his fifth-year option. The lineman only has one year to prove himself before the team is faced with that decision. Jones proved to be a team player as he stepped in at right tackle for the majority of his first two NFL seasons, but a lot more has to be done on the field to warrant a long-term stay.

Part of this could be the Steelers' fault due to loyalty surrounding an inconsistent Moore, but as he plans to move on, Jones will look to embrace an opportunity to play left tackle on a consistent basis, finally, several years after being drafted. The upside of a line that has Jones and Fautanu on the ends is attractive, but it's a shame that it wasn't very tangible in 2024.

Steelers Hoping To See Garrett Depart Cleveland For The NFC

Fans in Pittsburgh may despise Garrett, but there's no doubting his football ability. He is right up there with TJ Watt as the league's best pass rusher, so watching him get traded to the NFC would be incredibly favorable. If Jones finally moves to the left side permanently and doesn't have to deal with Garrett twice a year, that is a big-time win for the Steelers.

Do you think that Jones will prove himself on the left side in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!

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