The Pittsburgh Steelers made a surprise decision on Sunday, starting Dan Moore Jr. and rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu at the tackle positions against the Denver Broncos. With the decision, 2023 first-round selection, Broderick Jones, came off the bench, with the intention to play a platoon role at right tackle with Fautanu. The move comes without an injury designation for Jones, and likely is viewed as reps for a rookie who hasn't seen much action against NFL caliber starters.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Troy Fautanu (76) and Mason McCormick (66) work out during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in 2024.
After two successful drives, one resulting in a touchdown, Fautanu was replaced with Jones. In his lone drive, Jones was flagged three separate times including a holding call that wiped away a 51-yard completion from Justin Fields to George Pickens. That would end up being Jones' last play of the first half.
This resulted in Head Coach Mike Tomlin benching Jones in favor of Fautanu. Though it's certainly possible that Jones is still recovering from the elbow injury he suffered during training camp, seeing fundamental penalties begin to flare up through two games, is concerning for a player that is projected to be a long-term starter on the offensive line.
Steelers Now Faced With An Extremely Tricky Situation At Offensive Tackle
Entering 2024, most fans expected Fautanu and Jones to be the bookends on the offensive line, and wrote off Moore due to poor play over the past few seasons. However, Moore won the starting left tackle job in camp, and through the first two games, has looked rather solid. With Fautanu now back in the fold looking recovered from his knee injury suffered in the preseason, fans may not have the patience to watch Jones make simple mistakes.
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.
Former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex gave his thoughts on the mid-drive benching. He believes that Tomlin made the right choice based on what had transpired on the series.
I’ve got to say, I’ve never seen a linemen get pulled mid-series due to performance…..but it was justified.
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) September 15, 2024
In defense of Jones, he is playing out of position, as he played primarily left tackle at the University of Georgia. Yet, the problem has been geared more towards questions involving his work ethic, and now the problem with penalties. Tomlin and the Steelers will be tasked with addressing these issues with Jones, and will have their coaching put to the test to ensure these issues are addressed. For now, the black and gold will role with their rookie on the right side until Jones can put things together.
Do you think it's time to worry about Jones? What should Pittsburgh do with the tackle positions moving forward? Let us know in the comments below!
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