{"id":87538,"date":"2025-05-29T08:44:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T08:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/87538\/"},"modified":"2025-05-29T08:44:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T08:44:11","slug":"new-look-broderick-jones-steelers-offensive-tackle-slims-down-during-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/87538\/","title":{"rendered":"New-Look Broderick Jones: Steelers Offensive Tackle Slims Down During Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pittsburgh Steelers OT Broderick Jones struggled during his sophomore campaign in 2024, but Jones has taken steps to try and improve his game. Per The Athletic\u2019s Mike DeFabo<\/a>, Jones lost weight this offseason and is now down to \u201caround\u201d 305 pounds after playing at 325 pounds last season.<\/p>\n

DeFabo added that Jones said that gives him leeway to add weight during the season and also will improve his mobility, which is one of his biggest strengths.<\/p>\n

Broderick Jones said he\u2019s slimmed down this offseason. He played last year at about 325 and is around 305 now. <\/p>\n

He said that gives him a chance to gain weight during the season. Also should help him regain some mobility, which is the strength of his game.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to come back a little leaner just because it gives me a chance to gain weight going into training camp and throughout the season instead of coming back heavy and then having to lose weight just to gain it back, it\u2019s just a hard process,\u201d Jones said via video posted to Steelers.com<\/a>. \u201cI just wanted to focus on coming back at a good enough weight to where I could maintain but also gain if I had to. I think I\u2019m like 305-310ish, somewhere in that range. Last year I played at 325, 330.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coming out of Georgia, Jones weighed in at 313 pounds at the NFL Combine. He played heavier last season, and now with less weight, he should be a more fluid mover. His ability to pull and work out in space was one of his best traits in college, and being a little bit lighter will be beneficial for that aspect of his game.<\/p>\n

The ability to add weight is also helpful, as Jones understands how to play heavier and has experience doing it. If he feels he needs to bulk up during the season, he\u2019ll be able to. For Jones, one of his biggest issues last season was his power and hand usage at the point of attack. Potentially being more mobile and fluid could help him fire out quicker, but if he feels he doesn\u2019t have the strength, he can bulk up as necessary.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s good to see Broderick Jones put the work in to better himself, as he\u2019s going to be a key factor<\/a> in the success of Pittsburgh\u2019s offense this season. Depth along the entire offensive line is thin, but Pittsburgh doesn\u2019t have any real reliable option as a third offensive tackle yet. Calvin Anderson, Dylan Cook and Gareth Warren will compete for the swing tackle role, with Anderson having the upper hand, but he wasn\u2019t impressive in limited snaps last season.<\/p>\n

That means the onus is going to be on Jones (and Troy Fautanu) to have strong seasons, and with Jones\u2019 struggles last season, there\u2019s some concern about whether he can be a good starter. Putting in the work to slim down and presumably make himself a better player is a positive sign that Jones is serious about improving and that he can be the player the Steelers need him to be this season.<\/p>\n

Jones\u2019 improved mobility should also help Pittsburgh\u2019s run game if he can pull more effectively and be a good blocker in space, and an improved run game will go a long way toward making the Steelers\u2019 offense better. Hopefully for the Steelers, the work that Jones has put in manifests itself on the field and he can look like the player the team traded up in the first round for.<\/p>\n