Broderick Jones Bio
Broderick Bernard Jones is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. Born on May 16, 2001, in Lithonia, Georgia, Jones emerged as one of the most highly decorated offensive linemen of his college generation. He spent three seasons at the University of Georgia, where he helped the Bulldogs capture two consecutive College Football Playoff national championships in 2021 and 2022. The Steelers selected Jones in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 14th overall pick, recognizing his exceptional athleticism and potential as a cornerstone of their offensive line. Since joining Pittsburgh, Jones has developed into a reliable starter, appearing in 45 games and earning 38 starts across his first three professional seasons.
Early Life and Background
Jones grew up in Lithonia, Georgia, attending Lithonia High School in Stonecrest. His journey toward football excellence began at an early age, as he received his first collegiate athletic scholarship offer while still in ninth grade, an extraordinary accomplishment that came from the University of Alabama. This early recognition signaled the tremendous potential that would define his high school career.
During his senior season at Lithonia High School, Jones established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the class of 2020. His dominant performances earned him a five-star recruiting rating and positioned him among the most sought-after prospects in the nation. He participated in the prestigious Under Armour All-American Game, showcasing his skills against other top high school athletes from across the country. Jones ultimately committed to continue his football career at the University of Georgia, choosing the Bulldogs over numerous other major college programs.
Path to American Football
Jones arrived at the University of Georgia in 2020 with sky-high expectations attached to his recruitment. During his freshman season, Jones redshirted, using that year to adjust to the significantly elevated competition level of college football while developing his technique and understanding of the offensive scheme. This patience proved valuable as he prepared for increased responsibilities ahead.
The 2021 season marked Jones’s emergence as a key contributor on Georgia’s offensive line. When starting offensive tackle Jamaree Salyer suffered an injury, Jones stepped into the lineup and made four starts in relief. His performance during this challenging circumstances demonstrated his readiness for major playing time and earned him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. His continued development throughout the season positioned him for an expanded role the following year. In 2022, Jones solidified his status as one of the conference’s top offensive linemen, earning First-team All-SEC honors while helping the Bulldogs capture their second consecutive national championship.
Broderick Jones Career
College Career (2020–2022)
Jones’s three seasons at Georgia proved instrumental in shaping him into an NFL-ready prospect. Beyond the four starts in 2021, his contributions on special teams and in short-yardage situations provided valuable experience that complemented his classroom learning of the sport’s complexities at the highest collegiate level.
The pinnacle of Jones’s college career came during the 2022 season when he served as a full-time starter on one of college football’s most dominant teams. The Bulldogs’ offensive line, anchored by Jones, helped power Georgia to an undefeated season and another national championship. His First-team All-SEC selection that year reflected his consistency against the SEC’s formidable defensive linemen, many of whom would also go on to professional careers.
Pittsburgh Steelers Breakthrough (2023–Present)
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Jones with the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, making him the second offensive tackle chosen that year. The Steelers identified Jones as a player with exceptional physical tools who could develop into a long-term solution at a critical offensive line position. He signed his four-year rookie contract shortly after being drafted and immediately began preparing for his first professional season.
Jones made his NFL debut and first career start in Week 5 of the 2023 season against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite facing one of the league’s most aggressive defenses, Jones performed admirably in his inaugural start, recording 37 pass block reps while allowing zero sacks and only a single pressure. He later moved to right tackle during Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans, replacing Chukwuma Okorafor in the lineup. Jones retained the starting role for the remainder of the season, finishing his rookie year with 11 starts across 17 games played. He made his postseason debut during the Steelers’ AFC Wild Card round loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Heading into the 2024 season, Jones was named the team’s starting right tackle. He opened the season with a start in the Steelers’ Week 1 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. During Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, Jones encountered difficulties and committed three penalties in a six-play span, resulting in his benching in favor of Troy Fautanu for the remainder of that game. However, when Fautanu suffered a practice injury before Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Jones was reinstalled as the starter. Following Fautanu’s placement on injured reserve, Jones held the starting position for the rest of the season. He delivered one of his best performances of the year during Week 10’s narrow 28–27 victory over the Washington Commanders, earning a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.0 while allowing no pressures, sacks, quarterback hurries, or hits. Jones appeared in all 17 games in 2024, starting 16 of them, as the Steelers finished 10–7 and earned a second consecutive playoff berth.
Prior to the 2025 season, the Steelers announced Jones would transition to left tackle, representing a significant role change on the offensive line. The season began challenging for Jones, as he faced criticism for his early performances. In Week 1 against the New York Jets, he surrendered three sacks to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, Jones responded with improved play, allowing only three additional sacks combined from Week 2 through Week 10. On November 29, 2025, Jones was placed on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury during Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. The following day, the Steelers announced he would miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to the injury.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones’s game is built around his exceptional athleticism and footwork for a player of his size. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 311 pounds, he combines surprising quickness off the line of scrimmage with the ability to mirror defenders in pass protection. His length allows him to extend his arms and maintain distance from pass rushers, while his mobility enables him to effectively handle edge speed rushers. His college background in a run-heavy Georgia offense provided him with a strong foundation in run blocking, where his ability to reach second-level defenders creates lanes for running backs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Jones’s most significant career moments are his two national championship victories at Georgia, his first career start against the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, and his standout performance against the Washington Commanders in 2024. The transition from college to professional football presented immediate challenges, but his ability to earn a starting role as a rookie demonstrated his readiness for the NFL level. His 2025 neck injury marked an unfortunate setback in what had been a promising trajectory of development.
Broderick Jones Career Wins
Across his college and professional career, Jones has accumulated significant team successes alongside his individual accomplishments. His college tenure featured two national championships, while his NFL seasons have included two playoff appearances with the Steelers.
College Highlights
Jones’s college career was highlighted by unprecedented team success. He was a member of the Georgia Bulldogs teams that won the CFP national championship in both 2021 and 2022, providing the offensive line foundation for one of college football’s most dominant two-year stretches. His individual recognition included SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2021 and First-team All-SEC recognition in 2022.
Professional Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Jones has appeared in 45 NFL games and started 38 of them. He has been a full-time starter since his rookie season and has appeared in two playoff games with the Steelers. His Week 10 2024 performance against Washington represented one of his cleanest games at the professional level.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| NFL (2023–2025) | 45 | 38 |
| College (2020–2022) | 40+ | Multiple starts |
Broderick Jones Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Broderick Jones’s family background, including his parents and any family connections to athletics, are not extensively documented in available public sources. He grew up in Lithonia, Georgia, where he attended Lithonia High School before embarking on his football career.
Personal Life
Jones wears jersey number 77 in honor of his former Georgia teammate Devin Willock, who tragically died in a car accident in January 2023, shortly after the Bulldogs’ second national championship. Jones’s choice to wear this number reflects the close bonds formed during his time at Georgia and his desire to honor a fallen teammate. Beyond football, Jones maintains connections to his Georgia roots while focusing on his professional career in Pittsburgh.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented both challenges and promise for Jones as he transitioned to the left tackle position, traditionally considered the most demanding blindside protection role in professional football. His Week 1 performance against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets drew scrutiny, with the veteran quarterback exploiting matchups to record three sacks. However, Jones demonstrated resilience by tightening his play considerably over the subsequent weeks, surrendering only three sacks combined through Week 10.
The Steelers’ offensive line rotation experienced significant fluctuation throughout the season due to injuries across the unit. When Troy Fautanu was lost for the season, the team relied heavily on Jones to anchor the tackle position. His development as a professional showed flashes of the promise that led to his first-round selection, even as consistency remained an ongoing area of focus.
The neck injury sustained in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears ended Jones’s season prematurely and placed his long-term availability in question. The injury occurred at a time when Jones had begun to demonstrate improved consistency following his early-season struggles. The Steelers faced the task of navigating the remainder of the season without one of their starting offensive tackles, testing the depth of their offensive line unit.