Steelers' Omar Khan Gives His "Safe Assumption" On Broderick Jones' Future In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers are ready to set up their draft board with potential impact players for the 2025 season. With many conversations already this offseason about the state of the roster, there seems to be more holes to fill than General Manager Omar Khan had hoped. One area however, that he is confident is going to pull their weight next season is the offensive line. Khan has spent the last two seasons constructing talent to the line, spending his last two first round picks to address it. With Troy Fautanu coming back from injury to assume the duties of the right tackle position, it seems it is finally Broderick Jones' time to get back to his natural position.

Khan spent the first morning of the combine speaking with the media. When he was asked about Jones and the offensive line, he seemed confident that Jones will not only take a step forward in 2025, but be back playing on the left side.

Khan had hinted last year at the combine that Jones could be making the switch to left tackle at some point, but with Dan Moore still under contract at the time -- it was probably not going to happen in 2024. The Steelers had traded up to secure Jones in the 2023 NFL Draft, moving up three spots to draft the former Georgia Bulldogs standout. Now with Moore most likely signing elsewhere this offseason, the door is wide open for Jones to flourish on the left side of the line.

Jones had a season to forget last year. A year where he was benched, penalized, and not living up to the first round hype as he did in his rookie season. With fans starting the "bust" conversations, many were still convinced it was on the coaching staff to move him to the correct side of the line. Now it seems that in the 2025 season, the organization will finally get to right the wrong with Jones and the true evaluation can start.

Khan had a plan in his first few years as general manager of the Steelers: build the trenches of the offensive line to protect their future franchise quarterback, and control the ground game. With additions of Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick from last year's draft, he believes this could be a top end line as this group matures together. However, you're only as strong as your weakest link, which many could say that is Jones. 

The Steelers' offensive line wants to make sure that the struggles they faced in the last five weeks of the 2024 season do not happen again. They have to make sure their quarterback has the proper time in the pocket to scan the field and improve the run game, not settling for two to three-yard gains. There are high expectations for this offensive line not only for next season, but for the future of this organization.

Steelers' Jones Has To Make The Big Step In Year Three

With the pressure of being a first round pick being enough weight on any player's shoulders, Jones has even more pressure going into the 2025 season. The excuse of playing out of position is gone and it's time to show up. With so many question marks throughout the roster, the Steelers are hopeful that the left tackle position doesn't become one as next season progresses. 

This season seems to be do or die for Jones when it comes to his future with the Steelers. Khan is hopeful that year three will be the step forward that many fans were hoping to see last year, but all of that will be determined this next season.

Do you think Jones will finally live up to his first round pick status in 2025? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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