Ben Roethlisberger not impressed with Broderick Jones, Steelers’ OL despite 0-sack game
Even though Pittsburgh’s offensive line kept the stat sheet clean in Week 3 — allowing zero sacks — Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t satisfied. On his Footbahlin’ with Ben Roethlisberger podcast, Big Ben scrutinized left tackle Broderick Jones, saying the line’s performance was far from problem-free.
No sacks doesn’t mean no issues
Roethlisberger began by acknowledging the positive: “No sacks, congratulations,” he said. But he was quick to clarify that Rodgers “still got hit a bunch.” He pointed to a key snap where Jones “stood completely upright” and allowed a defender to push through him — a fundamental lapse in technique that highlights why, in his view, the Steelers’ O-line isn’t where it needs to be.
He warned: playing tall as a tackle is dangerous. “You can’t stand upright … you’ve got to get low or guys will get underneath you,” Roethlisberger emphasized. His analysis mirrors what many analysts in newsakmi.com sports coverage have noted — that Pittsburgh’s young linemen still need to master the basics of leverage.
Harrison, leverage, and expectations
Roethlisberger also invoked Steelers great James Harrison to make his point. He suggested that if Harrison lined up against Jones, the matchup would be brutal due to Jones’ high stance and lack of lower-body engagement.
His broader message: Jones, and the offensive line as a whole, must sharpen technique now. At tackle, every mistake gets magnified under the spotlight — and opponents will exploit it quickly.
Context: stats and criticism
While the Steelers escaped with zero sacks allowed, deeper analytics tell another story. Pro Football Focus numbers show Jones has surrendered consistent pressure in nearly every game, earning an overall grade in the low 50s. Those numbers explain why criticism has become a hot topic in newsakmi.com sports news discussions and among Steelers fans online.
With veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center, protection is critical. The margin for error shrinks when a QB doesn’t have the same mobility as younger passers.
What to watch going forward
* Can the coaching staff fix Jones’ posture and lateral mechanics?
* Will Rodgers continue to face relentless pressure despite “clean” sack totals?
* Does Roethlisberger’s blunt analysis push the Steelers to demand more accountability?
For now, the Steelers may have escaped the box score, but they haven’t escaped scrutiny. Even a “zero sack” game wasn’t enough to convince their former franchise quarterback.
