What Was Behind the Sloppy Performance For Steelers O-Line?
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In last night’s game, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-team offensive line was lackluster, to say the least. For a unit that has been completely rebuilt with top draft picks over the last two seasons, many were expecting more from this unit, even in an offense that was mostly basic from a schematic standpoint.
From the start, a young offensive line that should’ve been hungry to prove themselves looked like they didn’t want to be on the field. Broderick Jones gave up a pressure on Pittsburgh’s first pass play, which caused Justin Fields to have to check down. This was a problem for Jones all night. His interest level just didn’t seem there.
Quarterback pressure was a recurring theme throughout the first half. Houston defenders were able to penetrate the line with alarming frequency. This constant pressure resulted in several sacks and hurried throws, disrupting the Steelers’ offensive rhythm and leading to missed opportunities.
Troy Fautanu came in to play right tackle for the Steelers’ second offensive series and struggled in pass protection, giving up two sacks and another pressure. Houston does possess one of the best pass-rushers in football in Danielle Hunter. But still, two sacks in two series is not ideal.
Nate Herbig took a gigantic step back with not one, but two fumbled snaps. Now, Fields also must take some blame for this mishap, but that’s not a good sign for a center trying to win the starting job. Herbig also struggled getting movement at the point of attack in the run game. Overall, it was a very sloppy night for the Steelers, and especially the first unit of the offensive line.
Taking a deep dive, it is not hard to pinpoint why the line struggled. The right guys are not getting enough reps in the position they are going to be playing this season.
First, the supposed best tackle on the team is now playing as a swing tackle. Yes, Broderick Jones is still shifting back and forth between the left and right tackle spots. This is a colossal mistake by Pittsburgh’s coaching staff. What we saw from Jones last season was he needed more work in his pass protection. Where did we see him struggle last night? Yup, in pass pro.
He has been tabbed by the general manager as the left tackle of the future. The fact that he’s not in that starting role full-time is becoming a problem. Regardless of how talented he is, he still needs reps at a position he only played one half of a game in last season. If Jones truly can’t beat out Dan Moore Jr. for the job, the Black and Gold is in trouble.
Herbig is also being forced into playing out of position, lining up at center. Being able to play center in a pinch is much different than being a starting center in the NFL. It seems like Kendrick Green all over again. The team from the Steel City drafted a true center in the second round of the 2024 Draft, and he looked good against the Texans. Frazier has to be in the lineup, and playing his natural position. Cohesion is a real thing on the offensive line, and to be blunt, he is a better center than Herbig.
Now let’s not jump in the Allegheny River just yet. After all, it was just the first preseason game, and the second unit of the offensive line played pretty well. There is no reason to panic, especially since the offensive scheme was about as vanilla as it could be last evening. We saw no motion. We didn’t see Pittsburgh disguise plays based on formation and personnel groups. They just lined up and went. So to see them struggle against a defense while using a simplified offense, you get it. Remember, those guys on Houston get paid as well.
Pittsburgh still has time to correct the mistakes. The most important fix is to get guys in the proper position and go from there. The second is to get them to show they want to play. Preseason games are not meaningless, not for rookies, and not for veterans trying to hold off rookies in positional battles. It would go a long way for this offensive line group if they stopped treating the preseason like it doesn’t matter.
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