Broderick Jones doubles down on ugly performances by feuding with Steelers fans

With each game that passes, Steelers fans expect to see steady improvement from offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Pittsburgh's 2023 first-round pick was expected to be the left tackle of the future. Instead, an injury to rookie OT Troy Fautanu and quality performance of Dan Moore Jr. has Jones sticking at right tackle for the second straight season.

Unfortunately, we didn't see the improvement we all hoped in Week 4. The Steelers fell to the Colts thanks in large part to a defense that couldn't wake up and an offensive line that failed to protect Justin Fields consistently.

Broderick was one of the biggest culprits, thanks to his unspectacular pass protection in Week 4. Following another underwhelming performance, Jones did what every player should consciously avoid: he responded to social media trolls on 'X'.

Fans didn't take kindly to Broderick's performance, but instead of letting the comments of Twitter trolls roll off his shoulder, Jones dished it back to fans.

These were Jones' first replies on 'X' since January 15. He reached a breaking point where he couldn't take the slander any longer, and he let out his frustration on social media.

Broderick Jones needs to block out the noise

There was a better way to go about this, and blocking out the noise is always the best solution. Regardless of how things are going, Jones needs to display maturity and prove to the Steelers that he's willing to take the next step in his development.

To Jones' credit, his performance against the Colts in Week 4 wasn't all bad. Though he gave up a sack and three pressures in pass protection, he imposed his will as a run blocker. This was a welcome sight.

In Week 2, Broderick was pulled from the game after just 11 snaps on a disastrous drive that included three penalties. The unfortunate season-ending injury to Troy Fautanu gave him another chance, and he can't afford to squander this opportunity.

Many of Jones' well-blocked plays since the beginning of the season have gone unnoticed and have been overshadowed by mental errors, missed assignments, or failure to stay engaged and finish the block through the whistle. These are the areas of his game we hope he cleans up as he continues to grow and develop.

Whether you are pleased with his progression or not, Broderick Jones is here to stay and he will be an integral part of the Steelers' offensive line in 2024. He's got enough to focus on without worrying about trolling fans.