Mark Madden: Aaron Rodgers' performance will depend a lot on the man protecting his blind side

Myles Garrett, Cleveland’s All-Pro edge rusher, had an odd response when asked about the prospect of playing against new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice this season: “I think it’s a good opportunity to put him in the graveyard.”

Garrett’s tongue appeared to be in cheek so as to not stumble into a charge of first-degree murder via a sack gone very wrong. Better call Saul!

But Garrett doesn’t pose the biggest danger to Rodgers in 2025.

Broderick Jones does.

Jones is moving to left tackle after playing his first two NFL campaigns at right tackle, and not very well.

That’s not the big story of minicamp because it’s not sexy. Not like Rodgers showing up or T.J. Watt holding out.

You can’t ascertain much about Jones at minicamp anyway. No pads, just shorts and helmets.

But Jones being better at left tackle — said to be his “natural” position, like genetics have something to do with it — than he was at right tackle is crucial to Rodgers’ success and survival.

Jones was primarily a left tackle during his college days at Georgia. The Steelers traded up three spots to take Jones with the 14th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Steelers betrayed their high valuation of Jones immediately and since. He couldn’t have been used and developed less effectively.

Jones started 11 games at right tackle as a rookie by way of keeping ham-and-egger Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle.

Jones would have been the swing tackle last season, a backup.

But injuries limited 2024 first-round choice Troy Fautanu to a solitary game at right tackle, so Jones stayed at that spot with Moore continuing at left tackle. (Moore conceded an NFL-most 12 sacks last year. He’s with Tennessee now.)

Jones should have played left tackle as a rookie. Why delay his development at the position he was drafted to play? If he wasn’t good enough, then the Steelers traded up to pick the wrong guy.

It’s one in a series of shaky decisions made by a coach hindered by not knowing nearly as much as he thinks he does.

Jones called the way he got used last year “kind of funky.” He says he has more confidence at his preferred position, left tackle.

Jones lost 20 pounds in the offseason. He’ll gain it back, like I always do.

Jones played poorly at right tackle last year. Pro Football Focus ranked Jones 65th out of 81 tackles in 2024. He allowed 11 sacks, second-most in the NFL, and 43 QB pressures. He committed 10 penalties. Most felt that Jones regressed from where he finished 2023. His feet weren’t as quick. (That’s why he lost weight.)

Now he’s at left tackle having to protect Rodgers’ blind side.

Can Jones do it?

That may be the biggest doubt as the Steelers head toward the 2025 season.

It would be logical to bet against Jones. For all intents and purposes, he’s a rookie at left tackle as far as the NFL is concerned. Trading up to select Jones in the first round, then having him switch positions, was the height of stupidity. Ramifications still echo.

At least Rodgers showed up. He said signing with the Steelers is “best for my soul.” He said, “I don’t need it for my ego.”

That last part will likely be proven true. A lot could happen this year that’s not good for Rodgers’ ego. Some of it because of Jones.

Rodgers reportedly “dove right into the playbook” with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith immediately upon signing.

Gee, what’s the rush?

Ex-Steelers quarterback Justin Fields will be the opposition QB when the Steelers visit the New York Jets for a Week 1 matchup. Fields has a mere three-month head start in preparation.

Rodgers is participating on a very rudimentary basis at minicamp because he doesn’t know Smith’s playbook.

But he’s going to fix that between now and training camp by inviting the Steelers’ skill players to Malibu, Calif., to work out. Ayahuasca for everybody!