Ben Roethlisberger praises Steelers controversial O-lineman

The Steelers traded up in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to land who they hope will be their future franchise blindside blocker in Broderick Jones. However, Jones lost the job to incumbent Dan Moore Jr., and Ben Roethlisberger couldn't be happier.

"I talked to him last night, and I said, 'Dude, I'm so happy for you, I'm proud of the way you're playing, keep it up,'" Roethlisberger said. "Dan Moore, keep it up, dude. You are absolutely killing it, and I'm very proud of you."

The praise comes shortly after Moore Jr. went against Browns DE Myles Garrett in Week 2. Moore Jr. held Garrett to just one quarterback hit and zero sacks.

However, Moore Jr. allowed seven sacks in 2022, which is one of the main reasons Pittsburgh made it a priority to address the position. But the third year left tackle has certainly made strides this year, allowing just one sack and being penalized zero times through the first two weeks.

Many believed, or at least hoped, that Jones would have won the left tackle job as the team's first rounder, but head coach Mike Tomlin thinks it's a good thing.

"I know, oftentimes, depth charts produce stories: Maybe 'What's Wrong with Broderick?' Et cetera," Tomlin said. "There's nothing wrong with Broderick. There was nothing wrong with Cam Heyward when he watched. If you have a good team, if you have people playing well, oftentimes, it means young, capable guys get an opportunity to watch as they grow and develop. That's the story of the left tackle position and I feel really comfortable about where we are."

It may be disappointing to fans, but Heyward had to sit and watch as a rookie and things worked out quite well for him. 

If Jones can be half the player Heyward is, Steelers fan should be ecstatic. They just have to wait a little bit longer to see him.