The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line has been a point of contention through the first three weeks, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers has taken more hits than Mike Tomlin would like.
A big reason for Rodgers' lack of protection in the pocket has been because of left tackle Broderick Jones, who Rodgers actually defended after Week 1.
However, it is becoming harder and harder to defend Jones and his brutal 47.5 pass-blocking grade, and Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger is tired of watching him blow assignments.
"No sacks, congratulations, but Aaron still got hit a bunch," Roethlisberger said on his podcast, referencing Jones' Week 3 performance. "There was a play where Broderick Jones is standing completely upright and the guy basically runs right through him. ... That play if you go back and watch it, because I went back and watched two plays specifically to watch the line play, Broderick is so upright, and you can’t stand upright as a tackle. You have to get low or guys are going to get underneath you."
Pittsburgh selected Jones with the 14th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, but the University of Georgia product has failed to live up to expectations.
"James Harrison, what did he talk about? Leverage," Roethlisberger added. "You get a guy like if James Harrison was going up against Broderick Jones, he would have 15 sacks a game. I am telling you, the low leverage, he is going to get around Broderick. Broderick has to be better at protecting."
Jones posted Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grades of 52.1 and 54.6 over his first couple of NFL seasons, respectively. The Steelers were hoping that the 24-year-old would make a jump this year, but clearly, that hasn't happened yet.
Given that Rodgers is 41 years old with a checkered injury history, Pittsburgh needs to take extra care in ensuring that the pocket is as clean as possible for the four-time MVP, but thus far, the Steelers' offensive line has been a problem area.
We'll see if Pittsburgh can clean things up in that department when it faces a tough Minnesota Vikings defense in Ireland this Sunday.