Steelers' musical chairs along the offensive line are still unsorted heading into Week 1
The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone all in rebuilding their offensive identity. Still, the line has more questions than ever, particularly when it comes to 2023 first rounder, Broderick Jones. Yet when asked about where Jones will play on Sunday, it was the same song and dance from Coach Tomlin: Tomlin Unsure of Where Broderick Jones […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone all in rebuilding their offensive identity.
Still, the line has more questions than ever, particularly when it comes to 2023 first rounder, Broderick Jones.
Yet when asked about where Jones will play on Sunday, it was the same song and dance from Coach Tomlin:
Tomlin Unsure of Where Broderick Jones Will Play @ Atlanta
"I made no determinations regarding that," said Coach Tomlin when asked where Broderick Jones would line up on Sunday. "Obviously, he's worked a lot at right, but again, we're gonna continue to watch that as we progress through the week because versatility has been an asset for him and us."
Well, at this point, you could argue that Jones' "versatility" has been far more of a liability than an asset. A strong rookie campaign, Jones' start to 2024 has been anything but.
Ever since showing up to practice with an elbow brace during training camp, Jones has struggled. He took accountability for the horrid outing against the Buffalo Bills and wouldn't allow the brace to be used as an excuse:
“I’m as healthy as I’m going to get with the season coming up," Jones said when asked about his elbow. "Everybody is always playing with some minor injury. You have to push through it. I play the offensive line. It’s a physical brand of football here.”
But the elbow is probably the least of Jones' and the Steelers' problems when it comes to offensive tackle. The team drafted a player who was raw at LT, swore up and down that he would play LT, and instead, has repped at RT all last season, and this preseason.
The buck stops with Jones, but it started because of the Steelers, who are still playing musical chairs with the offensive line.
The first official depth chart lists Broderick Jones at RT and Dan Moore at LT, but Coach T opened Tuesday's presser by saying that he was optimistic when it comes to rookie Troy Fautanu's availability against the Atlanta Falcons.
Who starts where is anyone's guess at this point.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin claps back at his boss’s offseason comments regarding the offense
He’s not trying to make anyone comfortable.
