Steelers A to Z: Massive guard Steven Jones a big addition to offensive line depth

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

G STEVEN JONES

Experience/age: First-year player, turns 25 in September

Contract status: $840,000 salary and cap hit if he makes the team, becomes an exclusive rights free agent in 2026

The past: The 6-foot-5 Jones is listed on the roster as weighing 342 pounds, which makes him the heaviest player on the 90-man roster.

Jones spent last season on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, and he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers in January. He was not selected in the NFL Draft after playing at Oregon, where he played in 49 games.

Jones began his collegiate career playing right tackle before he was moved inside. He started 13 games in 2021 but just four in 2022 because of injury. After a return to health, he started all 14 games at right guard for Oregon in 2023.

The NFL.com scouting report on Jones entering the draft included this synopsis: “Taking on sub-package rushers and quick-start athletes might be more than he can handle. Jones won’t be a fit for everyone, but he does have the profile to compete for a guard spot in a power-based scheme.”

From left to middle: TE Brenton Strange, OT Javon Foster, G Steven Jones, C Cooper Hodges. Day 2 of #Jaguars minicamp pic.twitter.com/3e69oW8ZLJ

— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) June 11, 2024

2025 outlook: The Steelers have Mason McCormick returning at right guard for his first full season as a starter. Veteran Isaac Seumalo is entrenched as the starting left guard. Jones could make the roster as a backup, particularly if he is adept at run blocking. In his final year at Oregon, Pro Football Focus gave him a favorable grade, crediting Jones with zero sacks allowed and seven pressures on 420 pass-blocking downs.

The Steelers were intrigued enough by Jones’ size and potential to sign him in the offseason, and there could be a spot for him on the line. It remains to be seen whether Jones has the versatility to play left guard.