Broderick Jones names his biggest change under Mike McCarthy
Broderick Jones says his biggest adjustment under Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy is playing from a three-point stance on first-and-10, with a hand in the dirt—a shift from the two-point stance he used at Georgia and in his first three NFL seasons under Mike Tomlin. The change emphasizes pad level, leg drive, and physical run blocking.
For the first time in his career, even dating back to college, Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-year offensive tackle Broderick Jones is playing for an offensive-minded head coach. After Kirby Smart at Georgia and three seasons under defense-first Mike Tomlin, Jones now works under Mike McCarthy, who succeeded Tomlin this offseason. That coaching change is reshaping how Jones lines up on every snap.
Key Takeaways
- Jones told reporters the biggest McCarthy-era change is putting his hand in the dirt on first-and-10 instead of staying in a two-point stance.
- The former first-round pick is recovering from spinal-fusion surgery while adding weight, making the three-point emphasis a physical challenge.
- McCarthy wants a hard-nosed, run-first offense, and Jones says the stance shift brings nastiness back to the line.
- Preseason PFF grades were modest (61.0 overall), but Jones and the Steelers view the adjustment as a work in progress.
- Broader offseason changes under McCarthy—including defensive upgrades—could support Pittsburgh's offensive identity shift.
Why Is Broderick Jones Switching From a Two-Point Stance?
Jones said Coach McCarthy is "big on putting your hand down in the ground if it's first in 10," according to video shared via the show's YouTube page, as reported by Steelers Depot. Jones added that he has "always been out of like a two point," so playing out of a three-point stance is "a little bit different" but something he is eager to learn.
The adjustment is not about wholesale scheme overhaul. McCarthy will not put every lineman in a three-point stance on every rep. It is a subtle detail that still carries real weight for a tackle rebuilding strength after surgery.
How Does the Three-Point Stance Affect Jones Physically?
Putting a hand in the dirt and attacking in the run game places greater emphasis on pad level and leg drive than Jones's familiar two-point look. That matters because Jones is still working his way back from spinal-fusion surgery and trying to add weight to return to a comfortable playing form.
Jones told reporters he is embracing the shift anyway. He said it brings physicality and nastiness back to the offensive line, letting blockers fire off the ball and get after defenders. Pittsburgh wants to be a hard-nosed, physical team, and McCarthy is starting that identity in the run game.
What Do Preseason Numbers Say About Jones So Far?
Early returns have been mixed. Jones played 140 preseason snaps, per Pro Football Focus data cited by Steelers Depot, and graded at 61.0 overall. His run-blocking mark was 57.6, slightly below his 59.9 pass-blocking grade—unusual for a tackle learning to lean into the ground game.
Those numbers are not final verdicts. Jones is adapting to a new head coach, a new stance emphasis, and a body still rounding into form. The Steelers' broader McCarthy transition is also drawing attention elsewhere: Yardbarker noted USA Today writer Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz ranking Pittsburgh's defense eighth entering 2026, crediting McCarthy and new coordinator Patrick Graham for a more dynamic unit that could support Aaron Rodgers on offense.
Where Can Fans Follow Steelers Offseason Storylines?
Jones's stance adjustment is one piece of a larger Pittsburgh reset under McCarthy. From offensive line tweaks to defensive reshaping, the franchise is entering its first post-Tomlin era with heightened expectations. Fans tracking NFL roster moves, coaching changes, and gameday coverage can find ongoing updates in our Streaming & TV Alerts hub, where breaking Steelers and league-wide storylines are rounded up as the regular season approaches.