The Pittsburgh Steelers have proven in recent drafts that the goal of the front office is to build through the trenches. In back-to-back seasons, the franchise selected an offensive lineman with its first-round pick. In 2023, General Manager Omar Khan traded up to grab Broderick Jones, only to follow that pick up with the versatile Troy Fautanu in 2024. For some reason, however, the line hasn't been as consistent as fans would expect entering the 2025 offseason. Fautanu missed nearly his entire rookie campaign, and Jones hasn't gotten the opportunity to play left tackle because of the presence of Dan Moore Jr.
There aren't many individuals that know just how important it is to have a blindside blocker than legendary Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. His final year in the NFL came in 2021, during Moore's first professional season. Despite being a rookie, Moore started 16 contests on the left side protecting the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Now that Pittsburgh has let Moore walk in free agency to the Tennessee Titans, Jones is the clear front-runner to finally get over to the left side, where he was projected at during the pre-draft process in 2023. Roethlisberger isn't sold on the situation for Jones yet and detailed why on the latest episode of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger.
"I would be nervous, too, about Broderick Jones moving to left tackle this year for the first time," Roethlisberger said. "He played [left tackle] in college, but then he moved to right tackle, and then go to left tackle, and you talk to linemen, it's not a 'Oh, I'm going back to play my [position].' It's a different ball game."
Roethlisberger also went on to say that he is worried that the Steelers will regret the fact that they let a four-year starter at left tackle disappear in free agency. Some may have been quick to write off Moore and are excited for Jones on the left side, but it's worth noting when a two-time Super Bowl champion, who played with Moore, acknowledges concerns. If Jones doesn't excel immediately, Pittsburgh is going to be in for another inconsistent season from the offensive line.
The Steelers may not know exactly who will be the starting quarterback in 2025, but he is going to be right-handed. This makes it certain that Jones will have a tough task of protecting that person's blindside. That's no easy task in an AFC North division that has players like Myles Garrett, and maybe even Trey Hendrickson if the Cincinnati Bengals somehow find a way to sign him to a long-term deal.
Jones is going to need to come into the 2025 season looking like he has played left tackle his entire professional career. There were certainly bad moments for Moore throughout his four years in the Steel City, but if Jones isn't excellent, some may wonder if it would have been better to just trade him and pay Moore. The comments from Roethlisberger prove that just because Jones' natural position is on the left side, it doesn't mean he will immediately pick it back up after over two years.
Steelers Can't Afford To Have Jones Turn Out To Be A Bust
The jury is still out on Jones. No one really knows what to expect from Fautanu after an injury-plagued first season, but Jones' third year is crucial for him. If he wants the team to pick up his fifth-year option for 2027, he needs to be tremendous and prove that he's worth it. The last thing the organization needs is to be hunting for a franchise left tackle during the 2026 NFL Draft.
