Steelers notebook: Broderick Jones plays at both tackles, rookie O-linemen play extensively

Broderick Jones began Friday’s preseason game where he ended it last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers: at right tackle.

But Jones spent much of the game against the Houston Texans on the left side of the offensive line, only to return to the right side.

Last year’s first-round pick, Jones has been taking practice reps at both tackle spots, and that continued in game play. This year’s first-round pick, Troy Fautanu, entered the game during the Steelers’ second offensive series and took over for Jones at right tackle.

Veteran Dan Moore Jr. started at left tackle but played only one series. The other starters — center Nate Herbig, right guard James Daniels left guard Spencer Anderson — played throughout the first quarter. Anderson started in place of veteran Isaac Seumalo, who was held out by coach Mike Tomlin.

Much of the middle portions of the game had a line (left to right) of Jones, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Anderson and Fautanu. Anderson was a seventh-round pick last season, and McCormick and Frazier were selected in 2024’s fourth and second rounds, respectively, meaning it was a unit entirely comprising players drafted over the past 16 months.

When the third quarter began, Fautanu was out of the game with Jones back on the right side. Dylan Cook was the left tackle.

Benton eye injury

Defensive lineman Keeanu Benton was the only Steelers player to leave the game because of injury during the first half. A starting defensive lineman, Benton took himself out of the game after a second-quarter play because of an eye injury.

The Steelers announced just before halftime that Benton would not return to the game.

Going abroad?

Speaking on the local broadcast of the game on KDKA-TV, Steelers president Art Rooney II said “there’s a good chance” the Steelers would play an international game during the 2025 regular season.

Though Rooney said the final decision rests with the NFL, it has been 11 years since the Steelers played abroad. In 2024, the league is playing five games outside the U.S.: three in London, one in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and another in Munich, Germany. Though the Jacksonville Jaguars are part of two of those, that means nine of 32 teams (28% of the league) is playing an international game this season.

“We’re kind of due,” Rooney said.

The Steelers hold NFL marketing rights to Ireland, Mexico and Germany. The Steelers most likely would host a game in Ireland or Mexico.

Daniels the Guardian

Starting right guard James Daniels was the only player to come out at the start of the game wearing a Guardian Cap. The soft-shell cap surrounds a traditional helmet. While increasingly used in practices across the NFL in recent years, this is the first season the league is allowing them to be worn during games.

The caps are intended to reduce the impact of hits.

While all Steelers players have worn Guardian Caps throughout training camp, Daniels’ cap was unique because it had a logo affixed to it. During practice, the caps are plain black.

50 years later

Before the game, Rooney II and Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham presided over a ceremony during which the Steelers unveiled an exhibit devoted to the 1974 team that won Super Bowl IX.

The interactive exhibit is part of the Hall of Honor Museum, with a large portion of the display centering on the 50th anniversary of the Steelers’ first championship.

“I take a lot of pride in that championship,” said Ham, who was a member of all four championship teams in the 1970s. “It was based on defense and running the football. That has been the M.O. of Steelers football, and that’s the way we were able to win.”

The Steelers rushed for 249 yards in the Super Bowl, including a then-record 158 from Franco Harris, and they held the NFC champion Vikings to 17 rushing yards. Minnesota’s only touchdown came on a blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone.

“There are a lot of great memories, that’s for sure,” Rooney II said. “Seeing Andy Russell present the game ball to my grandfather stands out for me as a special moment. In a lot of ways, it was a remarkable season. The dominance of our defense really stands out the most.”

Golden retires

A week after returning to the Steelers on a one-year contract, outside linebacker Markus Golden has decided to retire rather plan play a second season for the team.

The Steelers placed Golden, 33, on the reserve/retired list a few hours before kickoff of Friday’s game.

Golden was set to compete with second-year linebacker Nick Herbig as the top backup option to starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Golden was the top veteran backup in 2023 when he totaled four sacks and 20 tackles in six games.

Golden spent most of his 10 NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He reached double digits in sacks three times in his career, most recently in 2021. He totaled 51 sacks in his career.

Golden’s retirement leaves former Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon and former practice squad player Kyron Johnson as the Steelers’ top options behind Herbig.