The Pittsburgh Steelers have completely revamped the offensive line in recent years. It is expected, if all are healthy, for Broderick Jones, Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu to all start Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Fautanu is currently working through an injury, but Frazier will now be the starter on the depth chart after a shoulder issue is expected to sideline to Nate Herbig. Jones seemed to be the one locked into not just a starting role, but a potential Pro Bowl season. Unfortunately, he was nowhere near impressive in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5201-544x306.jpg "Steelers Broderick Jones")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (#77) walks on the field at St. Vincent College as the team practices during 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers played all of the offensive starters versus the Bills with the exception of Fautanu. This led to Jones playing on the right side while Dan Moore Jr. manned the left. Jones excelled when it came to run blocking during his rookie season in 2023, but wasn't completely reliable when protecting the quarterback in the passing game. The same was true on Saturday during the team's first three offensive series.
GROWN man play here oh my
— Carl Jones (@Jones11_) August 17, 2024
Greg Rousseau kicked Broderick Jones right out the club 😂#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/I25AHICPtW
Jones let up a sack on the first and second trips out for the offense. Russell Wilson had virtually no time to throw the ball on both plays, which should leave plenty of reason for concern from Steelers fans. If the inconsistency continues, there still is a possibility that Fautanu starts on the right while Moore ends up being the starting left tackle. While not originally expected, it can't be counted out after Jones' play versus the Bills.
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Broderick Jones (#77) sets up at the line of scrimmage and prepares to block during a 2023 preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Social media was not giving Jones a break, either. Several individuals covering the team mentioned him by name in posts on X. Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had an idea about what to do with the lineman.
If anything, I'd leave Broderick Jones out there longer to figure out whatever he's going through. Need to see something out of him that isn't getting knocked around. On track for a ☠️☠️☠️performance. #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 17, 2024
It's fair to note that Jones is supposed to be a left tackle, but hasn't found his way to that side permanently given the Steelers' offensive line situation since the beginning of the 2023 season. If that is the plan long-term, and it should be, he needs to be working on that side moving forward because the right is not treating him too well.
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press
Steelers offensive lineman Broderick Jones speaks to the media in Pittsburgh at the UPMC Sports Complex during his introductory press conference.
Steelers Need Strong Offensive Line To Execute New Offense
Arthur Smith has taken over as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator and will have a run-first approach that mixes in a ton of play-action passes. The quarterback needs time for these types of passing plays to work, and Jones' performance on Saturday night, specifically during the first quarter, should provide little faith that the unit as a whole is where it needs to be. The situation is certainly something to monitor.
Are you concerned about Jones and his play against the Bills in the first quarter? Let us know in the comments below!
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