This is... not good. After a sluggish performance in Pittsburgh's preseason opener, Steelers offensive tackle is off to a horrendous start in his second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
Jones, Pittsburgh's 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, gave up two sacks in the first quarter against the Bills as edge rusher Greg Rousseau routinely ragdolled him and made him look like an un-rosterable player.
As you can imagine, Steelers fans immediately hit the panic button as they reacted to Broderick's trainwreck performance on Twitter.
This has been a REALLY rough one for Broderick Jones, man. Wow.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) August 17, 2024
Broderick Jones might be bad.. at least at RT. He looks BAD. Awful.
— Kevin Adams (@KevinAdams26) August 17, 2024
Gregory Rousseau having his way with Steelers OT Broderick Jones right now
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 17, 2024
Broderick Jones got WHOOPED again there on a Greg Rousseau 3rd down sack. Terrible look for the second year player. He did well against Rousseau in practice Thursday and Rousseau is paying him back in spades. #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 17, 2024
Broderick Jones is having a nightmare of a preseason
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) August 17, 2024
Broderick Jones, man. This is terrible. I gotta think that elbow injury is impacting his power/punch but if this doesn't change by Week 1...do you start him? If Fautanu is healthy. #Steelers
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 17, 2024
I know it’s the preseason but I’m starting to worry about Broderick Jones
— Michael Beck (@MichaelBeck56) August 17, 2024
Broderick Jones having a day to forget. Goodness.
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) August 17, 2024
I’m worried about Broderick Jones.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 17, 2024
To put our minds at ease, we have to convince ourselves that it's only preseason. But Jones' performance has been a disaster so far this summer.
Steelers fans have a right to be concerned about Broderick Jones
The Steelers traded up in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft to secure the former Georgia left tackle. He was supposed to be a staple to this offensive line and a building block for the next generation of talent in Pittsburgh.
So far, he looks like anything but what was advertised.
Mike Tomlin and offensive line coach Pat Meyer have to be concerned as they watch from the sidelines. Maybe it would help if the young offensive tackle wasn't playing out of position. Jones played primarily left tackle all the way through high school and college but has been lining up at right tackle for the Steelers.
Broderick's performance is so concerning that fans have the right to wonder if he's dealing with some sort of injury or sickness. If this is the Broderick Jones we are getting, we're going to be in for a long season. Make it stop!