Steelers' Mike Tomlin Offers Ridiculous Response About Broderick Jones 2024 Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Georgia prospect Broderick Jones in the 2023 NFL Draft, selecting him 14th overall. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan made a bold move, trading up to ensure Pittsburgh secured the talented tackle. Though Jones didn’t start immediately as a rookie, once he earned the starting job, he looked solid. His performance left Steeler Nation hopeful he would take a big leap in his second season.

However, so far, Jones' second year has been anything but smooth. He has been playing through an apparent arm injury, which has clearly affected his performance. Beyond the injury, Jones has struggled, becoming a liability on the offensive line. His play has been inconsistent, raising concerns about his development and whether he can meet the high expectations set for him.

When asked about Jones' progress during his weekly Tuesday press conference, Head Coach Mike Tomlin didn’t seem too concerned. Tomlin deflected the criticism, stating he’s pretty happy with where Jones is in his development. Despite the rough start, Tomlin’s confidence in Jones suggests the Steelers are willing to be patient as he works through his struggles.

"I like the solid trajectory of his growth and development," Tomlin told the Pittsburgh media. "He had some challenges early on in team development. He missed some time and so forth due to minor injuries. Just largely looking at the trajectory of his play, I am pleased with it."

It's clear that Tomlin was never going to publicly criticize his player. As one of the NFL's top coaches, Tomlin understands the challenges Jones has faced, just like everyone who's watched the Steelers play. 

Despite the struggles, Tomlin remains confident that Jones can break out of his slump and build positive momentum in his career. He went on to highlight the aspects of Jones’ game that he still admires, showing his belief in the young tackle's potential.

"I like the professional approach that he brings to work," Tomlin added. "I just think he’s moving in the right direction and he needs to continue."

In the 2024 season, Jones has received a disappointing grade of 45.9 from Pro Football Focus, placing him 109th out of 120 tackles. This bottom-tier ranking is a far cry from where he was expected to be in his second season, especially given the high hopes surrounding his potential improvement.

Steelers' Broderick Jones Has Gone Viral For Poor Play 

Clips of Jones looking confused and out of position have been circulating on social media, further highlighting his struggles. 

There’s even film of him accidentally running into his own teammates, reinforcing the perception that he lacks confidence and clarity on the field. While it’s clear that Jones is playing through an injury that has limited him, there are still legitimate concerns about his overall performance beyond the injury issues.

When the Steelers traded up for Jones, they knew he had limited starting experience in college. He was always considered a developmental project, but the team remains confident he can become the player they envisioned when they drafted him. 

It's encouraging to see Tomlin publicly show his support for Jones, standing by him through his struggles. Steelers fans are now hoping Jones can turn his 2024 season around and make significant improvements to elevate his game.

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