Steelers linebacker Larry Foote has started every game the last four seasons, which might cause some NFL players to think they have job security.

But since the guy behind Foote on the depth chart is last year’s first-round draft pick, Lawrence Timmons, Foote actually thinks he has no real chance of keeping his job.

“I don’t think it’s competition,” Foote said, per Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I really think it’s just a matter of time until they throw him in there, just because of the politics of the game — and it looks like he can play.”

Timmons played all 16 games last season, but he didn’t start any, and he contributed more on special teams than on defense. Foote seems to think that’s about to change.

“We don’t know yet because he hasn’t been out there,” Foote said of Timmons, “but it looks like he can get it down. My time might be winding down at that position. It’s just a matter of when the coaches throw him in there.”

Although Foote can’t be happy about losing his job to what he thinks is “the politics of the game,” it’s clear from the way he always follows his comments with praise of Timmons that he has no intention of causing any type of locker room distraction. And ultimately, being that kind of team player is probably the best way for Foote to keep his job.