The Steelers are declining Broderick Jones 5th year option

Good.

 

He has been pretty disappointing for a first round pick. Just seemed like his work ethic wasn’t there.

 

To the shock of no one.


As much as I do admire him, that injury didn't aide him whatsoever but so place all the blame on that injury against Chicago is just silly. Quite a bit lead up to that moment; dirty or not. For one, Tomlin's propensity to play "musical chairs" with his skill position players was one factor. Broderick's own concerns, particularly how he handled himself in Year Two, were another. There is also the "Pat Meyer factor" given the fact that Broderick Jones was Pat's biggest test yet; a test he couldn't ace. In Meyer's defense, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Spencer Anderson, Zach Frazier and Dylan Cook all ended up turning out okay.

Overall, Broderick largely has no one to blame but himself. At this point, even if he should return, where the hell does he even go?! Back to Left Tackle where he was?! Should Max Iheanachor even show capable starting ability, put him at Right Tackle and move Troy to the Left. Not something that is ideal but Pittsburgh cannot afford to mess up Max's development as they did Broderick's. The concern would be Troy Fautanu but Troy's baseline tools can translate to that side; footwork, contact balance, anchor, leverage and hand placement to name a few.


In short?! A shame it came to this but such is the way of the NFL. Next man up.

 

He will play next season

He will play slightly above average

Some team will way over pay him in 2027

We recently saw this movie

 

I did and tried to tell people about how Free Agency works. I was told that no one would do it for him. I ended up being right for the history of NFL Free Agency proved me right.


For those who don't know about who I or Jeh are talking about, the answer is Dan Moore. More specifically to me, I argued from the standpoint that Dan Moore will be getting a good payday for Free Agency isn't about being good but about what people are willing to pay you. Christian Kirk should have been the first prime example of this but he was ignored.


Now, back to Broderick, should he return to 100%, start the season and perform well?! All the better for him and I wish him all the best of luck as well. Moreover to the point, do I expect Broderick to be given a good payday like Dan Moore should this happen?! Absolutely for the reasons I outlined.

 

Add in a team's belief that they have better coaching to put the player in a better position to be successful. I would be shocked if Jones gets Dan Moore money in FA. He hasn't been nearly as consistent as Moore, then add in the injury and it turns into a risky bet. But yes, some team will overpay because they have a hole that needs filled.

Meanwhile the Steelers have a mini streak going of declining 5th year options. I think that makes five in a row...?

 

Good move, he hasn't earned the fifth year option.

 

Are you sure?

 

Not in the least

I was just thinking of the guy before him

 

Moore.

 

Not shocking. Just disappointing. For all.

 

I think they would have declined this with or without the injury.

Since the rules changed and options are guaranteed (2 years out), we haven't exercised the option for anyone we drafted. I think it was put in place the year after TJ's option, so I think Minkah got the option.

All of our 1st round picks since then have only been in the playing time tier (2nd lowest tier) or worse since then. The list of tiers and where the 2023 draft class is at re: options can be found here.

None of them got an option.

LT is a premium position and Jones at least was trending in the right direction. So maybe the line for achieving the option would be different. But based on the team's actions since the rules changed, I don't think he would have gotten it without a PB: (1) the price is high ($19MM for Jones) and (2) it's guaranteed money 2 years out and the Steelers really dislike doing this (although they did it for Metcalf, who has never been a 1st team AP).

Without the injury, I don't think he makes it. With the injury, guaranteeing money 2 years away makes no sense at all.

1st rounders we drafted since the option rules changed:

1. Edmunds. Playing time. No option. Signed to the "4 year vet with the same team" contract that paid him a little more than vet min.
2. Bush. Playing time. No option. Allowed to leave with no apparent attempt to extend.
3. No 1st. Traded for Minkah. Recieved option. 1st team AP + PC in year 2 prior to the option.
4. Harris. Playing time. PB as an injury replacement in year 1, but that doesn't get you to the next tier. Let walk. Apparently no attempt to extend.
5. Kenny. Traded before option eligible. I don't think he made even the playing time tier. He might have with us because he would have had at least some starts after Wilson got hurt (assuming Kenny stayed healthy).
6. Broderick. Playing time tier. Even if he finished out the season last year, I don't think he was going to make a probowl. Unlikely to get the option. If he stayed healthy, I would have been OK trying to negotiate a team friendly extension. I was also on board for trying this with Najee though.

We don't know where the team's line is for 5th year options. But it seems to be above achieving the playing time tier.

 

If he's healthy, someone will pay him.

He's Dan Moore Jr, but with pedigree and more athleticism.

There's enough hubris in the NFL among coaches and GMs for at least one team to think they can make a guy like that a star.

And maybe they can.

Plus, there's just a shortage of OL in general. And he can be at least a decent fill in as a starter at LT. There's value there (again, see Moore).