The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through a major change on the offensive line. The interior will likely remain the same with Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick holding down the fort. However, there will be some shuffling at the tackle positions. Pittsburgh's four-year starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. left the Steelers to sign a massive deal with the Tennessee Titans, and this will allow third-year tackle Broderick Jones to finally return to his natural position on the left side.
The Steelers traded up in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select Jones with the 14th overall pick, and he was considered a raw prospect at the time. He had mainly played left tackle at Georgia, and he competed for the starting job on the left side with Moore during training camp. Moore held onto his starting gig, while Chukwuma Okorafor started on the right side. Jones was a backup for the first half of the season, although he did start one game at left tackle in relief of an injured Moore. It wasn't until Okorafor was benched in the middle of a game that Jones became the starting right tackle.
This wasn't Jones' natural position, so there was obviously some adjustments that the young player had to make. He has been the starter on the right side for the better part of two seasons, and he has not lived up to his expectations. He is expected to move back to the left side in 2025, and former Pittsburgh offensive lineman Trai Essex shared how important of a season it is for Jones during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday.
"Everybody's been calling for it, everybody's been saying it's been coaching malpractice putting him on the right side, but he's a professional athlete," Essex said. "I've always been a big advocate of you gotta get in where you fit in, and if right tackle was where they wanted you to be at, then you should have been thriving at that position."
Jones had some good performances on the right side, but he took a step back in 2024. The tackle was expected to be able to go back to the left side after the team drafted Troy Fautanu in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but Fautanu suffered a knee injury early on in the season.
Fautanu also played left tackle in college, but it was known that Pittsburgh wanted to play him on the right side, which is what he will do in 2025. His injury delayed the shuffling of the tackle positions, but it will finally come once the season opens up. Jones will be back at left tackle, and many are expecting him to take a considerable step forward. Essex spoke about what might happen if he doesn't meet expectations.
"Left tackle, it's gonna be a transition," Essex said. "It's been three years since he's played that position, and it's a whole different ball game. He has to do it or else he may be looking for a new place next year."
Jones was forced to adjust to the right side, and now he will have to do it again at left tackle. This transition should be a little bit easier as it is his natural position, but Essex believes if he doesn't play well, he could be on the move after 2025.
Steelers Could Move On From Broderick Jones After The 2025 Season
Pittsburgh's offensive line could be one of the best in the league if both the tackle spots work out, but things could also go horribly. Fautanu is coming off of a knee injury, and Jones is still trying to find his footing in the league. If he takes another step back in 2025, and Fautanu doesn't live up to his first-round pedigree, the organization may have to look into other options.
The Steelers have already shown interest in Charles Grant as the organization sent representatives to his Pro Day at William & Mary. He was a three-year starter at left tackle, and he could be a good backup plan if Jones doesn't work out.
