Steelers' Mike Tomlin Thought A Spark Was Needed In Week 9, So He Turned To Rookie Broderick Jones

The Pittsburgh Steelers started the clock on rookie, Broderick Jones when they traded up to get him. He got that first chance against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, replacing an injured Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle. On Thursday afternoon, before the Steelers were set to tee-off against the Tennessee Titans, reports leaked out that Jones was going to make his second career start but at a new position. Pittsburgh Head Coach, Mike Tomlin was looking for a change after falling to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in Week 8 and the team came away with a 20-16 win in the short week.

The 22-year-old, drafted 14th overall in the 2023, replaced Chukwuma Okorafor at right tackle for Pittsburgh on Thursday night and it helped the team amass a total of 166 yards on the ground, by far their best performance of the season. Tomlin said during his postgame press conference that he wanted a different look, and it was Jones time to prove that he has what it takes during Thursday night's contest. 

"I thought we needed a spark," he said. "I thought Broderick had worked hard and was deserving of an opportunity, so we gave it to him." 

The Steelers elected to take the ball to set the tone at Acrisure Stadium. The team came out of the gate with a heavy dose of running the football. Najee Harris got the it started with a four-yard carry and then capped off the 10-play drive with a 10-yard score. 

Jaylen Warren had a seven yard scamper and a nine-yard catch on a swing pass from Kenny Pickett. Jones picked up a penalty for being an illegal man downfield when Pittsburgh had a first and ten on the Tennessee 37-yard line, which can be looked at as excusable for a rookie jumping in on a short week. 

Jones did, however, have an unsportsmanlike flag against him late in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh scored the go-ahead touchdown with 4:02 remaining in the game after driving 92 yards down the field. The Steelers moved the ball with a steady dose of Warren and Harris, with Pickett connecting with Diontae Johnson on a big key third down. Right guard, James Daniels was flagged for a a false start penalty on a second and goal which pushed the team back to the Tennessee six-yard line. After a penalty on the Titans moved the ball to the three, Pickett connected with Diontae Johnson to put Pittsburgh ahead 20-16. 

On extra point by Chris Boswell, Jones picked up the foul which meant the Steelers had to kick from the 20-yard-line. The Titans were able to get the ball up to their own 48 after a 29-yard return. Fortunately for Jones, the Pittsburgh defense was able to force a turnover on downs on the ensuing drive. The Titans had one more chance after Pittsburgh punted, but it ended with Kwon Alexander's interception of Will Levis with six seconds remaining. 

Steelers' Jones Trying To Make A Positive Impression In Second Career Start

The calls for Jones to replace Moore at left tackle started almost from the day that he was selected. They continued through training camp and he had his first taste of NFL action against the Ravens. Jones played right tackle only once in his first ever collegiate game at Georgia, then played left tackle for his four starts in 2021 and started 15 games in 2022. It made sense for expectations to be that he would come in to replace Moore, but Tomlin and the coaching staff made the shocking decision to replace Okorafor.

With Pittsburgh sparking their way to the best rushing performance of the season, it's fair to wonder what Tomlin is thinking for the future now. The recipe of keeping it close and relying on the ground game got eked out the win over the Titans but can it be successful moving forward. The team is hoping Jones is part of continuing the winning trend whether it's at right or left tackle. 

What did you think of Jones' second start? Do you want to see him in a starting role moving forward? Comment below!

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