Things have quickly shifted from hopeful to concerning for Broderick Jones and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The former first-round pick appears unsettled after a rocky start to training camp. Once seen as a potential breakout candidate this season, Jones has shown early signs of struggle to keep pace, casting doubt on those high expectations. If things do not turn around soon, the situation could deteriorate further.
Early videos from training camp have exposed the troublesome starter. According to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show, "He's been very slow on the get off... he hasn't got off to a good start at all." Kaboly also mentioned concerns about his weight, which appears lower than in any other year.
"He looks undersized to me. To me, he looks about 280," Kaboly claimed.
Jones producing a poor start at training camp doesn't guarantee that he won't play well this season, but he would've dreamt up a better scenario in an ideal world.
He has been moved around the offensive line since joining Pittsburgh. He started his entire career at right tackle after playing the opposite side throughout his college career. As a raw athlete without a secure position, his chances of success may have diminished.
It's not all bad news, as time is still on Jones's side. He suffered a soft tissue injury during practice, which could slow down his progress. If Kaboly is right about his weight issue, there could be massive concerns. Jones cannot afford to lose that much weight, given the strength and talent of the opponents he will face. He was once a pillar of hope for the Steelers' offensive line, but that feels like a lifetime ago.
Pittsburgh Steelers should be disturbed by Broderick Jones struggles at training camp
This entire situation with Jones falls at the feet of Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin. It was overdue for Jones to have an extended look at the left tackle spot, but he didn't play well as a starter. He was one of the worst in the NFL. Flipping him to his more natural position should help calm his woes, but thinking he would immediately change from a below-average starter is unwise.
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Khan should have developed a plan to position Jones as the starting left tackle going into training camp, with a reliable veteran backing him up. If Jones encountered challenges, they could’ve had a solid backup plan in place. Now, the team is top-heavy across the trenches, with no clear solutions in sight to address their problems. Their only option is to place their trust in the young offensive tackle.
Pittsburgh is hoping its former first-round pick will succeed this season.
If he fails, the team will face problems beyond just deciding what to do at the quarterback position next offseason. While they deserve credit for investing in the offensive line, their efforts have fallen short. Jones's struggles are not a new development, and the absence of a backup plan to protect the trenches highlights shortcomings from Khan and Tomlin along the offensive line.
Jones kicked off Pittsburgh's high investment into the offensive line when they traded up during the 2023 NFL Draft to land him. He was seen as a project player, but no one thought his chances of being a bust were high. Khan was praised for the move as the Steelers were desperate to rebuild their offensive line. That draft pick might've set the trenches back years.