The Pittsburgh Steelers’ bold plan to rotate Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu at right tackle was abandoned after just one series for Jones. The rookie’s debut at the position was marred by three penalties – two holding calls and a false start – in a mere 12 snaps. Jones’ struggles forced head coach Mike Tomlin to rethink his strategy, benching the rookie for the remainder of the game.
Fautanu, who started strong in the first two series, took over at right tackle and played out the rest of the game. Tomlin’s decision to pull Jones was a clear response to the rookie’s mistakes, which threatened to derail the Steelers’ offense. When asked about Jones’ limited playing time, Tomlin’s concise response – “You got it” – spoke volumes about the coach’s priorities.
Despite the setbacks, the Steelers managed to secure a win over the Denver Broncos. However, Jones’ struggles at right tackle raise questions about his readiness for the position. Will Tomlin revisit the tackle tandem approach, or will Fautanu solidify his hold on the starting spot? The Steelers’ coaching staff will need to assess Jones’ performance and determine the best course of action moving forward.