Winning in professional sports is never guaranteed. In the NFL, it’s a week-to-week grind — where even small mistakes can cost you big. Fortunately, the Pittsburgh Steelers opened their 2025 campaign on the right foot, edging out the New York Jets in a hard-fought 34-32 victory. The win was gritty, dramatic, and gave fans plenty to cheer about.
But for Head Coach Mike Tomlin, it also gave him plenty to critique.
Tuesday’s press conference was the usual mix of reflection and forward-thinking — Tomlin never lingers too long in either direction. But when the conversation shifted to starting left tackle Broderick Jones, the message was clear: improvement is expected.
“I thought he had some good moments, but I thought he could certainly be better,” Tomlin said of Jones. “Our quarterback got hit too much, and he was a component of that.”
It was classic Tomlin — measured, respectful, but firm. The kind of message that doesn’t embarrass a player publicly, but still lights a fire under them.
And frankly, it’s a message that Jones needs to hear.
The former first-round pick out of Georgia has had a long leash since arriving in Pittsburgh in 2023. While flashes of promise have been there, inconsistency has plagued his early career. Last season, his struggles at right tackle were well-documented — and they played a role in the Steelers dropping some crucial games down the stretch.
This offseason, the coaching staff decided to slide him over to left tackle — a move aimed at simplifying his responsibilities and putting him in a position to succeed. It was a fresh start—a chance at redemption.
But Week 1 wasn’t the redemption story fans were hoping for.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need Broderick Jones to play up to his potential in 2025
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones graded out at just 54.5, with a pass-blocking grade even lower than that at 46.8. He was a clear weak spot on an offensive line that struggled to protect veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was sacked four times in the contest.
For a team with championship aspirations, that kind of performance simply isn’t good enough.
To be fair, Jones isn’t the first young lineman to hit a few speed bumps early in his career. Offensive line development is rarely linear — it’s a mix of technique, strength, and confidence. But Tomlin’s Tuesday comments felt like a turning point. The patience is still there, but the expectations have officially been raised.
That’s the beauty of football: every week is a new opportunity. Jones has the tools. He has the coaching. What he needs now is consistency — and perhaps a little urgency.
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The Steelers didn’t draft Broderick Jones in the first round to be average. They drafted him to be a cornerstone on a line protecting a Hall of Fame quarterback and powering a playoff-caliber offense. He still has time to get there.
Tomlin’s message wasn’t harsh — it was honest. And in Pittsburgh, honesty is how champions are built.
The good news? In football, your best game is always your next game.
Let’s hope Jones treats it like one.