Steelers' Broderick Jones Challenged Over "Loaf Plays"; Likely Playing Himself Out Of Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a clear goal throughout the last several NFL Drafts, and that was to inject some youth into the trenches on both sides of the ball. This was seen in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft as the organization selected defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, and this came after going with a tackle in the two first rounds in the respective years before that. Broderick Jones was the pick in 2023, and Troy Fautanu was the selection in 2024. Pittsburgh also added Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick during the 2024 NFL Draft, and all three offensive linemen from that year have outperformed Jones thus far.

Jones has had an odd NFL career up to this point. It is also completely fair to give him the benefit of the doubt during the 2025 season. It might be his third year in the league, but Pittsburgh has done him no favors when it comes to his development. He was thrust into the starting lineup at right tackle halfway through his rookie season, and he was then forced to be the team's starting right tackle in 2024 as well. He is naturally a left tackle, which he just finally got to play consistently in 2025. Fans have been disappointed with his play at times, but it is important to note why he might not be the best version of himself just yet.

With 2025 being Jones' third season as a first-round pick, the organization is going to have to decide on his fifth-year option during the 2026 offseason. Former Pittsburgh offensive lineman Trai Essex spoke about this with former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch on the most recent episode of The Snap Count.

"The same things are showing up on film each week," Essex said. "Now, he had a good game a couple of weeks ago, we thought he had changed, turned the corner, but I think he took a step back this week if I'm being truthfully honest. He has all the skills and all the tools, but he just needs to be more physical, and there are some 'loaf' plays that I think you just can't have as a young tackle. And this man is in his contract year. The Steelers have to make a decision on the fifth-year, and if he keeps putting tape out there like this, I don't think the Steelers will do it."

Essex played both guard and tackle throughout his career, so he still knows how to provide trusted analysis on Jones' game. He can identify obvious skills and tools, but the young player is just finding trouble using them all while providing consistent play at left tackle.

Left tackle is one of the most important positions in football, and it is crucial that teams have a trusted player at the position. Jones has struggled to become that, which could lead to the franchise not picking up his fifth-year option during the 2026 offseason. Barring a Pro Bowl appearance, Jones' option is projected to cost the organization nearly $20 million for him to stay with the team during the 2027 season. That is far too much money as of right now, unless he can show considerable improvement over the last half of the season in 2025.

Steelers Could Be Looking For Another Left Tackle In The Near Future

If the organization were to decide not to pick up Jones' fifth-year option, that could mean he would be playing elsewhere by 2027, or even 2026. This could leave Pittsburgh searching for another left tackle in one of the next couple of drafts, or in free agency over the next couple of offseasons. 

Fautanu switching to left tackle could be another option as he played the position in college, but he has looked extremely solid at right tackle, and it is probably something the coaching staff does not want to mess with.

What do you think the organization will do with Jones' fifth-year option? Let us know in the comments below!

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