When the Pittsburgh Steelers open the season Sept. 10 against San Francisco, the past two NFL Defensive Players of the Year will share the field at Acrisure Stadium.

By then, Broderick Jones presumably will have tried to slow 2021 winner T.J. Watt countless times in practice. The question is, will Jones be in the lineup to take on the 49ers’ Nick Bosa, who supplanted Watt as the NFL’s top defensive player in 2022?

The rookie left tackle from Georgia isn’t willing to look that far ahead. Not to facing Bosa, whose 18 1/2 sacks topped the NFL last season. And not to being in the starting lineup when the Steelers open the season.

Jones said as much Friday when he talked to reporters after the first day of Steelers rookie minicamp.

“I have the mindset of coming in and being ready to work,” Jones said after a 75-minute walk-through. “I’m not looking forward to winning the job right now. My biggest focus is doing the best I can do, learning the playbook and being the best version of me.”

When it was mentioned that whoever starts at left tackle in the season opener — Dan Moore started 33 games over the previous two seasons — will square off with Bosa, Jones hardly changed his demeanor, and there wasn’t a trace of anticipation in his voice.

“It’s something to prepare for, something to look forward to,” Jones said. “I’ll put my best forward every day and work toward that day. I’m trying to get to that point and, hopefully, be the best version of me.”

The version of Jones the Steelers saw over the past two seasons at Georgia was good enough for them to trade up three spots and select the 6-foot-5, 311-pound tackle with the No. 14 overall pick of the first round.

The selection also showed the Steelers were intent on improving their play at left tackle. Moore, a former fourth-round pick, played every snap last season, but he also allowed seven sacks, which tied for seventh most in the NFL. He also was penalized 10 times, which tied for eighth in the league.

Jones played on two national championship teams, although he didn’t start full-time for the Bulldogs until 2022. He had just 19 career starts on his resume before he declared for the draft, which makes him a work in progress for the Steelers.

During the walk-through Friday, Jones received personalized instruction from offensive line coach Pat Meyer. After most snaps, Meyer talked to Jones about hand placement on pass-blocking assignments.

“It’s about being physical, my technique and getting it down,” Jones said. “That has been the biggest thing.”

Jones allowed that the transition from college to what he’s learning with the Steelers won’t be “extremely hard.”

“It’s something I have to get comfortable with,” he said.

Jones will have another two days of rookie minicamp to work with Meyer, who is in his second year overseeing the offensive line. Jones will remain in Pittsburgh until organized team activities begin May 23.

“I’ve been waiting to get here and get ready to work,” he said. “All the hype is over now. I’m in the building ready to work, ready to put the time in … I’m ready to get to it.”

It won’t be long until Jones gets to take on experienced pass rushers. Not just Watt, who had just 5 1/2 sacks while missing seven games to injury last season. He also will have to contend with Alex Highsmith, who led the Steelers with 14 1/2 sacks — four fewer than Bosa amassed — in his third NFL season.

“I’m looking forward to everything,” he said. “I’m ready to go to work because I know those guys are going to push me to make me better.”

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