After two seasons of playing primarily right tackle, despite being drafted to be the long-term left tackle, Broderick Jones is finally getting his chance.

Jones entered the start of OTAs at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex as the default starter at left tackle. Following Wednesday's practice, Jones addressed reporters for the first time since earning that spot and talked about the transition back to the spot he played before he was selected out of Georgia in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft:

"First few days (of OTAs) have been alright. I'm just glad to get back out here with the guys, working on my techniques, being back on the left side," Jones said. "Just trying to get back used to everything and just getting that secondhand nature back with everything that's going on over there and making sure everything is right in my head and not still thinking I'm on the right side. This is a great time for me to just keep building on what I've been doing all offseason and my whole life, really. Continue to just get better."

The thing here is Jones brought up the talk about being back on the left side all on his own. He was simply asked how the first few days of OTAs have gone. And, on his own volition, Jones made a point to talk about the switch.

Why? Is it because it feels more natural to him?

"It does," Jones said. "At first it felt (like riding a bike). When they initially moved me to right tackle and I played it for so long and they tried to make me the swing tackle, it was kind of funky. But I knew I would be going back to left, so this offseason I just tried to do nothing but focus on the left side and just continue to work that way. Just to try and get back the feel of the position."

From the time the Steelers traded up three spots to draft Jones, the plan was for him to eventually cement himself as the long-term solution at left tackle. However, Dan Moore Jr. had two years remaining on his contract, and Jones was a particularly raw prospect coming out of college, especially in pass protection. Having Moore gave the Steelers the freedom to not rush Jones while he developed.

The only way to get meaningful snaps during that time was to learn to play the right side, whether it was as a full-time starter or as a swing tackle. Jones' rookie season showed promise as he initially stepped in for Moore when he was injured for a couple of games, playing a total of 117 snaps at left tackle in two consecutive weeks. But, after Chukwuma Okorafor was benched midseason, Jones became the full-time right tackle and played solid despite the switch, especially as a run blocker.

Jones' second season was a different story. His run blocking was too inconsistent and, according to Pro Football Focus, he wound up tied for 15th among all offensive tackles with 10 penalties and allowed 43 pressures, the seventh-most among tackles.

Following the 2025 season, Omar Khan has to decide whether or not to pick up Jones' fifth-year option. As such, Year 3 is a make-or-break year for Jones.

In his first opportunity to solidify himself as the long-term left tackle, Jones is taking a fresh approach. He currently weighs around 305-310 pounds. Last season, his playing weight was between 325-330 pounds.

"I wanted to come back a little leaner 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," Jones said. "It's just a hard process. I just wanted to focus on coming back at a good enough weight to maintain but also gain if I have to."

There isn't much Jones can do during OTAs to win reps since no live contact is permitted during these types of practices. However, lining up against the likes of Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, Jones is leaving a good impression on some of his teammates, Herbig in particular, who was part of the same draft class.

"I think Broderick is a natural left tackle," Herbig said. "He's very athletic, he's strong, he can move. He has all the tools. I expect big things out of him this year."

Jones has always been very candid on his play throughout his two NFL seasons. He knows there's a higher level of play he has to achieve. After admitting that the first two seasons of playing out of position were a challenge, he has no excuses now being back at a position that feels most natural to him.

"Confidence is always high," Jones said. "Being back on the left, I feel like it's a bigger boost for me just because I've been used to playing on the left side. Being out here going against people like Alex and Nick, it really helps with the confidence level. When you're able to block guys like that, you feel like you can do it at any level versus anybody."