Steelers' Omar Khan Offers Definitive Answer On Where Broderick Jones Will Play In The Future

The Pittsburgh Steelers prioritized upgrading the offensive line before the 2023 season, and it started with the selection of Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started 11 games for the team in his rookie season, but the majority of his starts came on the right side, which is not his natural side. Head Coach Mike Tomlin didn't offer much as to where Jones would be playing in the future at his end-of-season press conference. General Manager Omar Khan offered a definitive answer however, when he met with the media at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday. 

Steelers insider, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic posted on X that Khan sees Jones moving back to his natural position. Jones made his first career start at left tackle in place of an injured Dan Moore Jr. against the Baltimore Ravens. After he was inserted into the starting lineup for right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor in Week 9, the rest of his starts were on the right side. 

"Broderick Jones is left tackle," Khan said. "And eventually will be a left tackle."

Jones got heavy praise in his rookie season for his run blocking, as the Pittsburgh rushing attack seemed to jump to another gear when he was inserted into the starting lineup. His pass blocking still needs improvement, but as a 22-year-old with limited starting experience in college, it's expected that he would have some steps to still take. 

Steelers' Plans For The Future At Tackle

The Steelers made a big move to cut Okorafor before the start of the 2024 league year to free up a nice chunk of change. It also left the organization without a right tackle for the time being as both Moore Jr. and Jones are more comfortable on the left side. 

Jones and Moore battled for the starting left tackle spot in camp, but Jones didn't think of it as a battle. He soaked in every bit of information he could and waited to use it when his name did get called to start. As it stands right now, either Moore or Jones would likely have to move over to the right side, which is probably less than ideal. The team still has the rest of the offseason with free agency and the draft to figure out what it wants to do at the position. 

It would be an unprecedented move for the franchise if they opt to draft a first-round tackle again in 2024 as some people have been suggesting. The team hadn't drafted a tackle in the first round since 1996 when they selected Jamain Stephens. The team has never spent consecutive first-round picks on the position in the history of the draft, though has taken second-round tackles in back-to-back seasons. Though it might be a diversion from the organizational past, it shouldn't be a surprise if the team opts to go this route due to the need on the roster and the commitment from Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl to build the team through the trenches. 

Pittsburgh will probably be looking seriously at tackle prospects again for the 2024 NFL Draft. If they decide to get one in the first round, University of Georgia's Amarius Mims could be a strong candidate as the Steelers have loved taking Georgia players recently and he would have instant chemistry with Jones. 

Pittsburgh has questions on the offensive line for 2024, such as who the starting right tackle is and who the starting center is going to be, but Khan did answer one question that had been at the top of Steelers fans' minds: Broderick Jones is a left tackle. 

Who do you think should be the Steelers' right tackle for 2024 if indeed Jones starts on the left?