Category: Dan Moore Jr.

Steelers’ legendary QB speaks his mind on LT Dan Moore Jr.

Former Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger gives LT Dan Moore Jr. his flowers for his excellent play so far in 2024.

With the Steelers drafting RT Troy Fautanu in the 2024 NFL Draft, many fans assumed Dan Moore Jr. would be on his way out of Pittsburgh. However, poor play from OT Broderick Jones and a regular-season-ending injury to Fautanu opened the door for Moore to showcase his progression in his fourth year in the NFL. His elite play this season caught the attention of two-time Super Bowl champion and Steelers legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. 

Big Ben spoke about the left tackle’s talent on his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, highlighting one key play that demonstrated Moore’s value to the team: “He got dinged up for one play, there was a sack on that play. The next play, when he’s out, a sack happens.” Roethlisberger concluded with a short but powerful compliment to the left tackle: “Dan Moore is playing good football right now in a position that is very important.” 

Fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the left tackle position is in good hands. However, what remains to be seen is how Mike Tomlin will handle the issues with Jones at right tackle.  Should Pittsburgh acquire additional offensive linemen at the trade deadline? 

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Should Pittsburgh target an offensive lineman at the trade deadline? 

Poor penalty management by Steelers’ RT Broderick Jones, and injuries to the offensive line may need to be solved via trade by the deadline.

It is truly miraculous how the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to win games given how injured their offensive line is. In Week 8, the Steelers were missing three starting offensive linemen, with two out for the entirety of the regular season. The interior depth on the o-line has been great, but the tackle position may need an upgrade before the upcoming trade deadline on November 5th. 

LT Dan Moore Jr., whose play has been outstanding this season, was banged up and had to sit out one play late in Week 8’s contest. Backup offensive lineman Spencer Anderson replaced him and immediately allowed QB Russell Wilson to get sacked. 

RT Broderick Jones continues to commit penalties that kill offensive momentum, and while it is probably time for HC Mike Tomlin to bench him, there is truly no quality starter who could take his place. 

Offensive tackle trade targets such as Cam Robinson, Andrus Peat, or Walker Little could help alleviate the injury woes. This team looks primed to make a deep playoff run, but they’ll first need to address depth issues on the offensive side of the football. 

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It’s time for the Steelers to say ‘bye-bye’ to OT Dan Moore

The Pittsburgh Steelers wouldn’t have traded up for OT Broderick Jones if they didn’t think he could be a solid performer at the NFL level.

Mike Tomlin is known for driving Steelers Nation nuts by bringing his rookies along slowly. Fans want more Joey Porter Jr., and it just hasn’t happened yet. We’ve barely heard a peep out of tight end Darnell Washington.

Along the offensive line, which, per PFF, currently ranks sixth-worst in the NFL, Broderick Jones has played only four snaps. In Week 1, against the San Fransisco 49ers, Jones stepped in at left tackle when Dan Moore shifted to the right after Chuks Okorafor exited with a concussion.

PFF grades are junk. The determining factors for arriving at them are complicated, confusing and nonsensical. Somehow T.J. Watt, who played out of his damn mind, graded lower than Myles Garrett, who was ineffective.

But stats don’t lie. Research from The Score’s Daniel Valente shows that Moore leads the NFL in pressures allowed (15), hurries allowed (10) and QB hits allowed (4). What he didn’t do was allow a sack on Kenny Pickett versus the Browns’ Garrett.

What Jones has done thus far is a very small sample size, but it’s more than worth demoting Moore and giving him a shot. The third-year tackle allows a lot of action to come at Pickett’s blind side. To develop as a passer and survey the field, he must be given realistic time in the pocket. But he can only do that if he trusts that his line will protect him.

Here’s a thought: See what you have in Jones. If he’s as good as his first-round pedigree suggests, shop Moore around prior to the October 31 trade deadline. He’ll only have 1.5 years left on his contract by then. Experienced and serviceable O-linemen are like gold in the NFL. Omar Khan can shake a team down for future picks and move on.

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