When do the Steelers “eventually” move Broderick Jones to left tackle?
The Steelers drafted Broderick Jones last year because they believed he is their left tackle of the future. Then they played him at right tackle. Then head coach Mike Tomlin said he is undecided if he plays Jones on the right or left side in 2024.
Fast forward to yesterday. General manager Omar Khan confirmed that the Steelers plan for Jones as their left tackle. Only he left a pretty sizeable caveat in there. After reiterating that they drafted him to play left tackle, he added, “eventually he will be a left tackle”.
He did start his first game at left tackle in Week 5 of the 2023 season, only because Dan Moore Jr. missed the game due to injury. Since then he has taken all of his snaps at right tackle. They demoted Chukwuma Okorafor, since released, citing disciplinary reasons, though that feels like a convenient excuse.
The problem the Steelers have is not insignificant, though. They don’t have a proven commodity at right tackle if they move Jones to the left side. Even Tomlin admits Moore is significantly better on the left side. I’m sure he gives it a go if the Steelers try to move him to right tackle. It beats accepting a demotion, I imagine.
But nobody wants to do that. And you can’t count on Spencer Anderson or Dylan Cook stepping into the starting lineup. If the Steelers want to move Jones to left tackle, they need to add somebody to feel comfortable. Either sign an experienced veteran or draft a pedigreed rookie and then open a competition. They can allow Anderson and Cook to compete, and if they win the job, wonderful. But they can’t count on it.
The Steelers remain confident that Jones can play right tackle. Still, questioning if that is his best position is fair. And if you trade up for a left tackle and play him on the right side if he’s less comfortable there, then you’re not doing something right.
The Steelers’ 2023 season has been put out of its misery, ending as so many have before in recent years: a disappointing, blowout playoff loss. The only change-up lately is when they miss the playoffs altogether. But with the Buffalo Bills stamping them out in the Wildcard Round, they have another long offseason ahead.
The biggest question hanging over the team is the quarterback question. Is Kenny Pickett the guy? Will he get another season’s reprieve without a serious challenge? How will the team address the depth chart? Do they re-sign Mason Rudolph, one of few significant unrestricted free agents?
The Steelers are swirling with more questions this offseason than usual, frankly, though the major free agent list is less substantial than usual. It’s just a matter of…what happens next? Where do they go from here? How do they find the way forward?
