The Pittsburgh Steelers officially reported to training camp today, settling into Latrobe for the next three weeks. 

And while practice doesn't officially start until tomorrow, players were more than happy to answer a few questions as they showed up. 

But before declaring he's the next best thing in Pittsburgh, one rookie took the smart approach: 

Broderick Jones “May or May Not Touch the Field”

Steelers first-round pick Broderick Jones is about to embark on a training camp battle to see who will be Pittsburgh's starting left tackle in 2023. He may be the shiny new toy in the offensive line unit, but incumbent starter Dan Moore Jr. is not going to give up the job that easily, making every rep must-watch this summer. 



So when arriving in Latrobe, he was sure to be asked about his prospects of the battle to be, saying:

"My expectation is to get in, learn as much as possible and be the best person I can be," Jones told reporters on behalf of if he would start week one. "I think that just comes down to performing at a high level and being the best version of you. That is what it is to me. I really believe in that. Just coming in, learning as much as possible, being the best version of me. Hopefully at the end of the day, (I) touch the field, (I) may not touch the field, but I'll just give it 110 percent.

Now, before anyone views this as a lack of confidence, I can assure you that this is Jones being perceptive with his answer. If he were to come out and declare the job his, or say he expects to start, and then doesn't…



Suddenly things don't look so great for him, and the team in general. 

All you have to do is go watch some tape from Jones' time at Georgia and you'll see a player that plays with a competitive toughness down-in and down-out. Nobody questions that part of his game. 



But despite playing the stiffest of competition in the SEC, none of those pass rushers were Alex Highsmith or T.J. Watt, a duo that Jones will have to at least hold his own against to prove he's ready for the rigors of NFL pass protection. 

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So while Jones sorts out that part of his NFL journey, he seems to have the interview part down pat, even if his answers don't always display the "dog mentality" that is omnipresent when he's on the field.  

In the end, what matters is what happens on the grass, not what is said off it, and Jones has the chance to prove his value starting tomorrow afternoon. 

Steelers Training Camp Battle: Left Tackle

See more on one of the most important battles in Pittsburgh

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