The Pittsburgh Steelers have very high expectations for their offensive line in 2025. The interior players had an excellent 2024 season, and the hope is that they continue to grow and mesh well together. The offensive tackle position is the real question mark. Second-year player Troy Fautanu only had one start in his rookie year before suffering a season-ending leg injury. Third-year player Broderick Jones has had significant issues playing on the right side, and the hope is that he can develop properly while moving to the blind side (his natural position).
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Steelers offensive linemen Troy Fautanu (76) and Zach Frazier (54) work out with the team.
Jones has not been having a great training camp so far. While the Steelers do have elite edge rushers across the board, the former first-round pick has not been able to do anything to slow them down on a consistent basis. There have been many clips of him getting beat with ease. Pittsburgh even went out and signed a veteran tackle in case he continues to struggle.
However, Jones may have finally woken up. During Thursday's practice, reporter Christopher Carter noticed that he may have turned himself around after a great day in training camp.
Broderick Jones has won the last three reps I’ve seen him play in these OL vs DL drills. Picking up stunts, keeping his feet, using his hands to strike. 📈 #Steelers need him to do this in games and it’ll be a huge step up this year.
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 7, 2025
Like with Roman Wilson previously in training camp, the idea of losing his job and maybe even a roster spot could have lit a fire under Jones. He's fighting for more than just the respect of the fans and his peers. Now, he has to go out and stop some of the best pass rushers in the NFL to make sure he's not benched or, even worse, cut completely.
Barry Reeger / ap photo
Steelers offensive lineman Broderick Jones prepares to block a defender as the team participates in a practice at the UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
Also like with Wilson, one great day at camp is not enough for Jones to stick around. Now that he showed some of his upside, that is the expectation for him going forward. He has to put it all together and stack these practices up until gameday, where the team will expect him to have his way with plenty of other great edge rushers. The days of him playing at a junior-varsity level should now be officially over.
Steelers' Offensive Attack Is Almost Entirely On Jones' Shoulders
Jones will now be protecting Aaron Rodgers every single day for the rest of the year. During his time with the New York Jets, the 41-year-old was statistically one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL when being blitzed/rushed. At his age, he is more reliant on the men in front of him than ever before in his career, which includes Jones. This is absolutely not the year for him to slack off.
If Jones continues to struggle into the regular season, Rodgers is likely going to have another rough, painful season like when he was with the Jets. If he plays like he did in Thursday's practice, the Steelers could see flashes of Rodgers' old form from when he was winning multiple MVP Awards. As long as the established players of the interior line continue to do their job, the outside of the line will be under a microscope all season long.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (left) and Broderick Jones (right) sit in their lockers before a 2024 Week 1 contest against the Falcons in Atlanta, GA.
Being under that microscope could cause Jones to be benched quickly if things go awry. Andrus Peat is a veteran tackle that has seen and done plenty in the NFL. The three-time Pro Bowler can step in and take over if needed. As long as Jones keeps competing like he did on Thursday, he won't have to worry about losing his job.
What do you think about Jones' great day in practice? Do you think he will keep it up? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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