Right tackle Chuks Okorafor expects to sit again in favor of Steelers rookie Broderick Jones

Chuks Okorafor isn’t saying what words or actions got him in trouble with coach Mike Tomlin that led to his benching against the Tennessee Titans.

He doesn’t know whether he will remain in Tomlin’s doghouse long term. He just knows he doesn’t expect to start again Sunday at right tackle when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium.

“I think it’s going to be the same as last week,” Okorafor said Wednesday morning.

Which means rookie first-round pick Broderick Jones will start at right tackle, and Okorafor will watch from the bench for the second game in a row.

As he did Thursday after the Steelers’ 20-16 victory against the Tennessee Titans, Okorafor declined to get into specifics of his benching. He said he acted out and “said stuff I shouldn’t say” during the Steelers’ loss to Jacksonville the previous week and was informed of his demotion last Tuesday by Tomlin.

Tomlin said Okorafor’s behavior against Jacksonville was a “significant factor” in his decision to elevate Jones to the starting role.

“No one wants to be benched, obviously, but I can only do what I’m told,” Okorafor said. “I’ll take it day by day.”

Chuks Okorafor on his benching pic.twitter.com/fX77pU3Egx

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 8, 2023

Okorafor said he wasn’t demoted because of his performance in the first half of the season. Until Thursday night, when they rushed for a season-high 166 yards, the Steelers struggled to produce an effective running game. The offensive line, with Jones on the right side, didn’t allow a sack, either.

“No, I’ve talked to Coach T, I’ve talked to my coach, and that doesn’t seem to be the case,” Okorafor said. “I feel like that wasn’t the case at all. All I can do is take it day-by-day and see how it plays out.”

Okorafor has one year remaining on his three-year, $29.25 million contract. His $13 million salary cap hit this season is the second highest among offensive players and tops on the offensive line.

The Steelers moved up in the draft to select Jones, a left tackle at Georgia, with the No. 14 overall pick. Okorafor said he will assist helping Jones deal with playing on the right side while awaiting a chance to regain his starting role.

“He is still young,” Okorafor said. “He’s played a couple of games, and he’s played well. I’m trying to help him out. If I see something, I can help him.”

Okorafor was impressed with Jones’ ability to handle right tackle against the Titans.

“For someone his size, he can move,” he said. “He’s so young. I feel he can play with technique every single snap. He’s going to be a good player whether it’s left or right, and that’s pretty special.”

In the meantime, Okorafor will continue to work his way back into Tomlin’s good graces.

“If I knew this was going to happen, I wouldn’t have said or done what I did,” he said. “There’s not really much I can do now but take it day by day. … I couldn’t tell you what is going to happen in three weeks or next year. Next year is next year. I’m trying to figure out how to be back out there.”