Another Steelers rookie earns starting job

A week after Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin named rookie CB Joey Porter Jr. a starter over veteran CB Levi Wallace, he has revealed that another rookie has done enough to earn a starting job.

Tomlin told reporters on Monday that offensive tackle Broderick Jones, Pittsburgh's 2023 first-round pick, is "worthy of an extended look" after his impressive performance against the Titans in Week 9.

The massive 6-foot-5, 311-pound offensive tackle will not be starting at his primary position of left tackle, however. Jones is listed as the team's right tackle ahead of its Week 10 matchup against the Packers.

It's certainly a bit of a head-scratching decision as the Steelers traded up to draft him to be their future blindside blocker but Tomlin said he believes offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. is "much better" at left tackle than right tackle.

Jones has shown his versatility, starting at both left tackle and right tackle in two games and playing well in each position. 

The rookie earned his second start of the season last week because right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor was reportedly "acting out" against the Jaguars in Week 8. Tomlin stated it was a "significant" reason he got benched.

It is still unknown what that exactly means but fans aren't too concerned as long as their promising first-round pick is seeing more playing time after riding the bench for most of the first half of the year.

As for Jones, he just does as he's told and remains ready for whichever side he plays on.

"When Coach T tells you to do something, you don't ask questions," Jones told reporters. "Just being able to lock in on my skills and take what I know from the left to the right, just play my game."

Jones has another great opportunity in Week 10 to prove he should be an every-week starter against Green Bay's defense, which is allowing the 10th most rushing yards per game (124) in the league.