Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin Doesn't Have An Answer For What Side Offensive Lineman Broderick Jones Will Play

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold move for the future of their offensive line. In the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, they traded up to select University of Georgia left tackle Broderick Jones with the 14th overall pick. The 22-year-old mountain of a man made 11 starts in his rookie season after biding some time on the bench. Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed Jones' future position in his final press conference of the 2023 season, while also praising Jones' work in his rookie year.

Jones was only a true one-year starter for the Bulldogs, which raised questions about whether the rookie tackle was ready to take on starting right away to begin his NFL career. Tomlin was happy to let him learn from the bench to start the 2023 campaign, and Jones knew that he still had quite a bit of learning to do before he was ready. 

Then, an injury to starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. in Week 5 thrust him into the starting job. It turned out to be a one-game thing, as Moore returned the following week and took back his job. Still, Jones' time was coming. After Chukwuma Okorafor landed himself in Tomlin's doghouse and gave him a seat on the bench, Jones took over the starting right tackle role. 

"Undecided as of yet," Tomlin said in response to a question about whether Jones would move back to the left side. "Obviously, he has capabilities in that area, but he was more than capable at right tackle as well."

Jones told Nick Farabaugh that he considers left tackle to be his more natural position. He said he feels more comfortable on the left side. He added that he will continue to train to play on either side of the offensive line. 

After Jones made his first career start on the ride side against the Tennessee Titans, he didn't leave that spot and was a big help in getting the Steelers run game going. Former NFL offensive lineman turned analyst, Brian Baldinger said that all of the credit for Pittsburgh getting things going on the ground should go to the rookie tackle. 

Steelers' Jones Has Bright Future As A Pillar Of O-Line

Former Steelers offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert told The Athletic that he thinks Jones is a future "superstar" in the NFL for a long time. Jones had the highest Pro Football Focus grade of any first-year tackle in the 2023 season. He's already shown that he's got an attitude when he plays, and teammates have had to try and settle him down a bunch. As Coach Tomlin likes to say, "rather say 'whoa,' than 'sick 'em.'"

Jones still needs to work on his pass-blocking at the NFL level. He was stellar in his final season at Georgia, not allowing a single sack, but has struggled in that area in the NFL. Some of this is probably getting used to playing against NFL pass rushers on every single snap, but the fact that he's on the side he's less comfortable at is also a significant factor. 

The Steelers offensive line is likely going to see some changes before the start of the 2024 season, but a starting job for Jones shouldn't be a question. Even though he still needs to work on his pass-blocking and be a little more careful about bold proclamations that get sent back in his face, he's shown enough that a full-time starting gig in 2024 is warranted. 

Moore is still under contract for 2024 with a cap hit of slightly north of $1.2 million, according to Spotrac.com. He likely isn't going anywhere with that cap hit after starting 49 games in the last three seasons. Okorafor, however, looks like he might be on his way out. He carries too big a salary, and the team can get some serious cap relief for a guy who lost his job in 2023. Whether on the right or the left, Jones has earned a starting spot that he might not relinquish for a long time. Pittsburgh hopes. 

What did you think of Tomlin's comments? Do you think Jones needs to go back to the left side? Comment below!

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