Every Pittsburgh Steelers fan wanted to see big changes from Broderick Jones in year three, but this isn't exactly what we had in mind. The 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft reportedly underwent a body transformation, but the latest rumor has fans more than just a little concerned.
Prior to the Steelers' first padded training camp practice, Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan posted on X that Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly believes Jones now 'appears to weigh around 285 pounds' and looks 'a bit undersized.'
Fillipponi also stated that multiple reports suggest Broderick is now smaller than Steelers tight end and fellow Georgia Bulldog teammate, Darnell Washington.
Early in the offseason, fans were encouraged by Jones' reported body transformation. Jones admitted that he was playing heavier, and it was reported that he lost 15-20 pounds this past offseason. Reports suggest Jones weighed 325 pounds last season and cut down to 305 pounds by the offseason workouts in June.
If the latest rumor is true, then Jones continued to cut weight at a rapid rate... to the point where his size has become a major concern for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers can't afford to have Broderick Jones lose play strength with rumored body transformation
It's hard to say how serious Kaboly was about Broderick Jones' play weight, but in a photo of Jones next to Steelers teammate and offensive guard Steven Jones, the size difference is mind-blowing.
If, for whatever reason, Broderick is now under 300 pounds, this becomes a big concern for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jones still looked somewhat slow off the ball during the first four unpadded practices, as Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig dusted him on a few 11-on-11 reps. But they can't afford to have Jones lose play strength at the risk of trying to get a little quicker.
A sub-300-pound offensive tackle can only do so much to anchor against powerful edge rushers, converting speed to power. Jones, a former five-star recruit, moved incredibly well on film at Georgia, and he tested as a remarkable athlete at the 2023 NFL Combine. There's no reason he shouldn't be quicker off the ball than he is.
It's important to remind you that his rumored playing weight is merely that: a rumor. We don't know exactly what Broderick Jones is weighing in at these days, but he looks to be in terrific shape. Now it's all about healing up from the recent soft tissue injury he sustained, getting back on the field, and proving to Steelers Nation why he was Omar Khan's first-ever draft choice.