The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up in the 2023 NFL Draft to select offensive tackle Broderick Jones. In his rookie season, Jones didn’t start immediately, as the Steelers eased him into the lineup after several games. Eventually, he started 11 games, and his promising performance had Steeler Nation excited about his potential.
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Steelers' Broderick Jones walks with his helmet in his hand before a game.
However, Jones has had a shaky start to his 2024 season. Many fans expected him to take a significant step forward and become a dominant force on the offensive line. But concerns arose when he struggled against the Houston Texans in the first preseason game. His issues persisted against the Buffalo Bills and continued to be evident against the Detroit Lions.
With reports suggesting that the Steelers plan to start rookie Troy Fautanu at right tackle, if healthy, Jones is now facing a competition with Dan Moore Jr. for the left tackle position. While it seems unlikely that Pittsburgh would choose Moore over Jones, given his recent struggles, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo believes that Jones could be in danger of losing his starting job to Moore.
"Athleticism isn't the issue for Broderick Jones, but the technique, the timing, when to punch," Fittipaldo said. "The entire theme of this preseason for Broderick Jones: giving up ground and getting pushed into the quarterback. I know a lot of people don't want to hear this, but if it's me, if Fautanu is healthy, I'm sticking with Dan Moore based on what I've seen the last couple of weeks."
Jones’ poor preseason performance has drawn significant attention. While some fans aren’t overly concerned because it’s just preseason, many are genuinely worried. At times, Jones has looked outmatched, getting pushed back too easily and becoming a liability on the offensive line. If these issues aren’t resolved before Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, the Steelers could face serious trouble.
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There may be a reason for Jones' struggles. Insiders have revealed that he is dealing with an elbow injury and has been seen wearing a brace. While this could explain his concerning play, it doesn’t offer much comfort to Steeler Nation. In fact, it’s even more alarming because, according to Fittipaldo, doctors have indicated that this is an injury Jones will have to manage throughout the season. Although it’s not expected to worsen, it also won’t improve, meaning Jones will likely face adversity for the entire 2024 season.
Steelers' Dan Moore Jr. Has A Path To Steal Job From Broderick Jones
On the other hand, if Fautanu is healthy, he is expected to start at right tackle, according to Gerry Dulac. This situation means that Moore and Jones will be competing for the left tackle spot. Fittipaldo sees a potential path for Moore to secure the starting role due to Jones' subpar performance. It would be surprising for the Steelers to bench their 2023 first-round pick, as they had high hopes for him to start at this point in his career. However, Jones' preseason struggles and ongoing injury concerns have shifted the conversation.
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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. runs onto the field before a home game.
While many Steelers fans hold a negative view of Moore, other insiders believe he is better than he is given credit for. The competition between Jones and Moore will be intriguing to watch. Fans would prefer to see Jones as the starter, but his recent performance has raised concerns. With his current trajectory, Moore might have a viable path to becoming a starter in 2024.
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