PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s not that Broderick Jones hadn’t played any snaps at left tackle in the NFL, 121 to be exact during his rookie season. It’s just, due to Dan Moore starting on the left side, Steelers coaches pushed him to the right. Moore is now gone and the process is underway for Jones to get back to how it used to be.
Steelers drafted Jones in the first round out of Georgia in 2023 to be a starting tackle. He was a part of their major offensive line rebuild. They thought they could move him or Moore to the right side. The move just didn’t agree with Moore at all, so it was Jones pushed to where he rarely played. He started 27 games, but no where near the level they expected from a played they traded up to get at 14 overall.
It’s now been an offseason of nothing but the left side. As Jones quipped, it’s moving back to the left side and now making sure everything is right in his head. OK, correct in his head. Just getting back to where he played his whole life.
The 24-year-old said it was a little funky being on the left side at practice last year when they attempted to make him the swing tackle. But now after offseason work, he’s getting the feel back. Confidence high, he said these first few days of Steelers voluntary work has really helped, even without full contact, to get his footwork back.
“Being back on the left, I feel like it’s a bigger boost for me just because I’ve been used to playing on the left side,” Jones said Wednesday. “Being out here going against people like Alex (Highsmith) and Nick (Herbig), it really helps with the confidence when you are able to block guys like that, you feel like you can do it at any level against anybody.”
“I think Broderick is a natural left tackle,” Herbig said. “He’s very athletic. He’s strong. He can move. He has all the tools. I expect big things out of him this year.”
Jones is down about 20 pounds from his playing weight last year. Currently at 305 pounds, Jones said he wants to be able to add weight heading into training camp instead of the last minute dropping some pounds to be at his playing weight. He believes that should help with his strength and mindset as the pads come on and games begin.
“Out here this is the perfect time to hone in on your skills and just try and showcase the best player you are out here, for yourself and the team,” Jones said. “Just make a name for yourself.”
What he’s put out there hasn’t been what the Steelers expected, or what he expected. Now he has his best chance to prove that he was worth that gamble.