What is the level of concern over Broderick Jones’ injury?
First off, apologies for the unplanned absence yesterday. I caught a cold that decided to hit me hard all at once and I was in no fit state to be staring at screens for hours on end. Instead, I spent most of the day trying and failing to sleep. That noble goal largely continues to elude me, but at least I can function. Now, onto the serious business.
Perhaps the biggest news from Steelers GM Omar Khan’s media rounds was the status of Broderick Jones. Or more actually, the lack of a clear status. The left tackle suffered a season-ending injury late last year, and now his future is apparently unclear.
Khan described Jones’ injury as “significant”. He said the Steelers were monitoring his progress and that he was “early in the process”. The timeline for his return is undetermined, the Steelers GM unwilling to commit to him being ready for training camp.
Given the uncertainty, one thing is certain: the Steelers won’t pick up Broderick Jones’ fifth-year option. While the fifth-year value wasn’t always fully guaranteed, it was always guaranteed for injury. If they’re not even certain he’ll play this year, they won’t shackle themselves to 2027.
After Jones’ injury, Dylan Cook eventually stepped up at left tackle for the Steelers. If Jones cannot return to play, Cook would presumably be the leading candidate to start there. They likely would bring in a veteran to challenge, or at least push him, but Khan spoke highly of Cook.
The Steelers selected Broderick Jones 14th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, trading up a few sots to do so. It took him until his third season to secure the starting left tackle job, and the year before, he was also set to lose his right tackle job to Troy Fautanu, who is now the starter there.
After early struggles last season, Jones did improve as Aaron Rodgers’ blindside protector. Still 24 years old, he has youth on his side. Talent has never been the question, but the rubber is now meeting the road. The Steelers need to know arguably within the next two seasons if he can be their long-term answer. And if he can’t even take the field, that would be a major setback for him. And potentially for the Steelers, as well.
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017.With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin resigning.
The NFL has crowned its latest champion, but for us and the Steelers, we have been in offseason mode. That’s what happens when the team you coverloses by the middle of January all the time, but you’ve been around, so you know that already. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.
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