There was concern about Broderick Jones making the switch to the left side of the offensive line in Year 3. The Steelers’ coaching staff has flipped him from right to left and back to right plenty of times in his short career, but now he’s anchored in at the left side.
Unfortunately, it couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start for Jones. On the Steelers' first offensive play, new Jets’ head coach Aaron Glenn dialed up pressure and got to Rodgers for the sack, going straight through Jones to do it.
Jones lost the first rep to All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who had six sacks a season ago.
The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t afford more growing pains from Broderick Jones
Jones has shown throughout his career that he is prone to slow starts, and that trend has continued to start 2025. Luckily, it didn’t persist throughout the opening drive as Rodgers led the Steelers to an opening drive touchdown via Ben Skowronek.
Last season, Jones gave up 11 sacks, a significant chunk of the 49 sacks the entire offensive front allowed last season.
Certainly, with Rodgers taking over at 41 years old, the Steelers can’t afford to allow him to face constant pressure. Still, it’s to be expected with the inexperience factor the unit faces. Only Jones and left guard Isaac Seumalo have multiple years of NFL experience.
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Of course, Jones also carries the pressure of being a first-round pick, a status that he hasn’t quite lived up to throughout his career. Hopefully, though, this is just another example of a slow start, and he can get back on track as the game progresses.
Either way, it won’t be an easy outing against the Jets' pass rush. Glenn will continue to bring pressure with Williams, Will McDonald IV, and the returning Jermain Johnson. Last season with the Lions, Glenn’s defense had the second-highest blitz rate in the NFL.