Broderick Jones Zach Frazier
Broderick Jones Zach Frazier
Broderick Jones was the first selection of the Omar Khan era. A decision that isn’t made solely by him, but one he wears as general manager. Khan either orchestrated or green lit the deal to move up three spots, jump the New York Jets, and make Jones the face of his class.
Three years later, Jones is no longer a Pittsburgh Steeler. The team dealt him to the Dallas Cowboys, a franchise quickly that’s become a recurring trade partner, in a larger package deal than anticipated. Jones and a 2027 fourth round pick for Dallas’ 2027 third and sixth round selections. The difference in picks from that third/fourth round swap are hard to guess at but will be meaningful and in swapping higher up in the draft, exponentially more valuable.
The terms serve as a reminder for all of Jones’ warts, relatively young, experienced, and versatile offensive linemen have value in a NFL world where teams are bereft of depth.
Dallas will try to fix what Pittsburgh couldn’t. Jones has the athletic traits. He has the work ethic, especially these past two years where it was clear he was putting in the extra time to improve his game. The rehab behind-the-scenes from his neck surgery to not only be ready for training camp, not only as a full participant, but to finish second on the entire team with 148 preseason snaps.
Jones has heard criticism and doubt nearly from the get-go, and he’s not given up or given in. That’s commendable.
Still, that doesn’t change his reality. Jones couldn’t figure out his technique in a meaningful and consistent way. He was frustrating to watch. He had the lateral movement to get himself in the right position, but his hand placement and punch would undue all of that. His hands always hung low in his set, and his punch constantly missed.
Here’s an example from the second preseason game against the New York Jets. Jones at his right tackle spot getting width on his pass set and in position to win only to miss his punch, give up the edge, and grab the defender as he rips past.
https://i.gyazo.com/622c9b985ad22e3172c7a7351516c9c4.mp4
This wasn’t a one-off. This was a recurring issue.
One that new offensive line coach James Campen couldn’t fix. It’s difficult to imagine any coach can. Jones’ habits are so ingrained they will be hard to unlearn. That’s now a task for Cowboys’ line coach Conor Riley. Hired in 2025, Dallas is his first NFL job.
Watching Jones compared to Troy Fautanu was night-and-day. Fautanu has a strong and powerful punch who works independent hands, as opposed to the old-school two-hand punch, with comfort and ease. Jones flailed on every rep.
Pittsburgh isn’t blameless. Jones bounced side-to-side throughout his career and rarely settled into one spot. For a young and raw player who wasn’t always sure of himself, that decision did him and the team no favors. On draft night, Pittsburgh declared Jones as a future franchise left tackle only to primarily play him on the right side his first two years. Even with Dan Moore Jr.’s rigid left tackle placement, it was a befuddling thought process.
By the time Mike McCarthy was hired, Jones was in swingman territory and had to showcase left-and-right versatility.
I don’t blame the current coaching staff for how he was used this summer, but the old regime is ripe for second-guessing.
Jones made some strides. His 2025 season was better than the mess that was his 2024. His confidence returned, he seemed healthier, and he didn’t make nearly as many mental mistakes. That cured part of his ills but not the core of his problem.
Jones was not the guy to protect a soon-to-be 43 year old Aaron Rodgers. Dylan Cook has positional flexibility and Max Iheanachor flashed in his preseason debut Thursday night, giving the Steelers enough confidence to make this deal with Dallas.
I’ll be the first to celebrate Jones if he can turn his career around. A change of scenery for Steelers’ offensive linemen have worked before. Kraig Urbik is an older example, Kevin Dotson a more recent one.
Pittsburgh reached its end of the road with Jones. No matter who is at fault, a scouting staff’s poor evaluation, a coach’s poor teaching, a front office’s poor vision, he clearly wasn’t going to get over the hump in the final year of his rookie contract. The Steelers were right to move on.