Yikes lets hope that maybe a different blocking scheme fits him.
Jones’ tenure with the Steelers has hardly gone according to plan. The 14th overall pick in 2023 has played to just a 58.1 overall PFF grade through his first three years, and his 22 sacks surrendered are the fourth-most among tackles in that span.
Jones was already put on notice when Pittsburgh declined his fifth-year option, then selected Max Iheanachor in the first round of April’s draft. Beyond that, Jones has generally struggled in the preseason, giving up three sacks over two games while playing well into the fourth quarter with the Steelers’ backups.
Offensive line depth is always coveted, which could preserve a roster spot for Jones — especially with Iheanachor hardly practicing due to an injury. Yet it also wouldn’t come as a total shock to see Jones traded or cut by Sunday, as a fresh start seems inevitable for both sides in the next year.
Broderick Jones would likely be a better natural fit for the Dallas Cowboys' blocking scheme than he is in Pittsburgh's wide-zone system.
His physical profile and playing style align cleanly with what Dallas demands from its offensive tackles under Brian Schottenheimer.
Why He Fits Dallas Better
- Physicality & Finishing (Power/Duo Fit): Coming out of Georgia, Jones' trademark trait was his mean streak, grip strength, and explosive initial punch. Dallas runs a heavy amount of Duo, Power-O, and inside-gap concepts that require tackles to create vertical movement and blow defenders off the ball. Jones excels when he can play downhill and bully edge setters, rather than constantly moving laterally.
- Comfort in Jump Sets & Vertical Sets: At Georgia, Jones operated in a pro-style system where he relied on aggressive, physical sets to stun pass rushers early. Dallas’s pass protection uses frequent jump sets to take the fight to edge rushers at the line of scrimmage, which suits Jones' explosive upper-body strength and long reach.
- Second-Level Disruption: In gap schemes, tackles are often asked to execute combination blocks before climbing to seal linebackers. Jones’s athletic traits make him dangerous when charging straight forward to clear out linebackers in space, a core requirement for Dallas' interior-driven run game.
Why the Steelers Scheme Has Been a Tougher Transition
- Wide-Zone Footwork Demands: Arthur Smith’s scheme in Pittsburgh requires tackles to consistently hit bucket steps, stretch laterally, and turn edge defenders. While Jones is athletic, his footwork can get over-extended when constantly asked to reach-block faster defensive ends on the outside edge.
- Position Swapping: Pittsburgh’s scheme reliance on specific lateral techniques—combined with moving Jones between right tackle and left tackle early in his career—magnified his raw footwork tendencies.
In Dallas, where the mandate for tackles is establishing a hard, physical point of attack and protecting the pocket on quick drop-backs, Jones' raw power, aggression, and size would be leveraged far more naturally.
