The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line has been a focal point of their offseason rebuilding in recent years. Unfortunately, that same group has been plagued by injuries during the 2024 season. This has thrown the plans to build up to starting their two most recent first-round selections, Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, together into chaos.
The injury bug first bit Nate Herbig, the projected starting center, leaving rookie Zach Frazier to step up. Frazier has done an outstanding job, but was injured during Week 6. Despite having only one other NFL start, Ryan McCollum is filling in for him and is doing an admirable job. Fautanu also went out with a dislocated knee cap before the Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers and isn't expected back during the regular season.
Then Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels both went out with injuries. Fortunately, Seumalo returned for the game against the Dallas Cowboys. However, the carefully constructed plan of adding Fautanu and Mason McCormick to Jones and a solid veteran grouping fell apart. One of the biggest concerns has become Jones and his performance.
Former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats shares the fans' concerns about Jones and spoke about it on his podcast, The Arthur Moats Experience. He recently had Steelers tight end Darnell Washington on his show, and he said something that struck a chord with Moats. Jones and Washington played together at the University of Georgia and were two-time National Championship winners.
"You know how we always talk about Broderick, and I'm like, 'He is so athletic, so strong, he's just gifted,'" said Moats. "But he looks like he did at Georgia, and it was the one thing that irks me with him. Darnell Washington said about the time at Georgia, 'I didn't always have to use the technique because we were just so much bigger and stronger than teams, we could just come out there and do whatever, and it was going to work.' I feel like Broderick still has that in his game, and at this level, it shows up a lot. I'm like, 'Can you stop doing that and just be locked in every single play?' If he could just button up every single play, he could be dope."
Jones got his chance to start last season when Head Coach Mike Tomlin benched Chukwuma Okorafor -- except it was on the right side of the line instead of the left. Jones remains on the right side, where he previously performed well enough, considering he had changed sides.
It is impossible to deny that Jones has sharply declined in performance this season. Early in the year, Jones suffered injuries to his elbow and wrist. He was cleared to play, but some have speculated that perhaps he isn't 100% healthy. Moats said that when a team wins like the Steelers, things like what is happening with Jones won't be spotlighted. However, it is apparent that Jones just appears lost at times out on the field.
Steelers' Offensive Line Has Made Massive Improvements
The Steelers' offensive line and coach, Pat Meyer, have been heavily criticized over the past few seasons. However, he has done an admirable job dealing with all the injuries and changes to the offensive line. They have been forced to run at least five different iterations of the line this season, and Meyer deserves credit for getting them prepped. They aren't the top line in the league, but they are far from the worst. Both quarterbacks, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, have been better protected than many expected.
The team hopes Frazier will return after the Week 9 bye for their game with the Washington Commanders. While McCollum has done a decent job, the Steelers face their toughest games post-bye and will need Frazier's superior blocking.
