Why Mike Tomlin thinks first-round pick losing job is a good thing

The Steelers traded up in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select Broderick Jones, who they believe will be QB Kenny Pickett's blindside blocker for the foreseeable future. However, Jones lost the starting left tackle job to veteran Dan Moore Jr., who allowed seven sacks in 2022.

Head coach Mike Tomlin believes 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 Tomlin makes a good point. Heyward had to sit and watch as a rookie and things have certainly worked out quite well for him.

For now, Moore Jr. will enter his third straight season as the starter at left tackle, a role he was thrust into as a rookie fourth-round pick in 2021.

If he struggles or gets injured, Jones will likely get an opportunity to prove the job should be his. But unless one of those things happens, we may have seen the last of Jones in 2023.

No worries though, Tomlin still sees Jones as a significant piece to the Steelers' future.

"Really excited about what Broderick showed us," Tomlin added. "We were very thoughtful about making sure that he got a lot of reps over the course of development, particularly in preseason stadiums. ... I feel really good about the acquisition of Broderick and how bright his future is."