INDIANAPOLIS — Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan revealed at the NFL Combine on Tuesday morning that the team plans to move 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones to left tackle in 2025. Jones left a lot to be desired at right tackle in 2024, allowing 11 sacks (including postseason). So a position change could be the best option for the young tackle out of Georgia.
"I'd say it's a safe assumption that he'll be the left tackle," Khan said.
Dan Moore Jr. , who started at left tackle the last four seasons, is also heading into free agency and it's not expected that the Steelers will re-sign him. The same applies for guard James Daniels . Mason McCormick , who replaced Daniels after he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, turned heads in his rookie campaign.
"He was awesome," Khan said. "Mason came in, a small school guy, and this was not too big for him. I love his progression. And I think the future is bright for him. He gives us good options at the position."
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger called out Jone s on his podcast after the season. One thing is clear, the Steelers need better play out of their first-round pick from 2023. Rookie center Zach Frazier shined and McCormick showed promise. The same can't be said for Jones.
"You've got to figure out what happens at your tackle spots. People are gonna get on Dan Moore and Broderick Jones for the amount of sacks they've given up. Broderick needs to step it up. I've watched the film, and I've watched him make mistakes. Quite a few mistakes. He's still growing, and he's learning, but he can't continue to make mistakes," Roethlisberger said .
Pittsburgh Steelers OT Broderick Jones before a game against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 15, 2024. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now
Offensive line guru Duke Manyweather also ripped Jones after a subpar performance against the New York Giants in Week 8, stating that the looked like he hated playing football.
"Broderick Jones is too talented to play like he just doesn't give a f*** and hates football!" Manyweather tweeted during the game.
Manyweather, who is the founder of OL Masterminds, trains a boatload of NFL and Division 1 offensive lineman, including Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and former Steelers offensive lineman Kevin Dotson and Kendrick Green .
After a solid rookie campaign, Jones struggled mightily in 2024 . A lingering right elbow injury was noted as a possible reason for his struggles.
It will be interesting to see if Jones bounces back and excels at left tackle in 2025.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Indianapolis.
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