Pittsburgh Steelers' Dan Moore Jr. Deserves Credit For This Strong Play In Preseason Week 2

One of the Pittsburgh Steelers' mostly highly anticipated positional battles is at offensive tackle. It pits three-year veteran Dan Moore Jr. against the first-round draft pick, rookie Broderick Jones. The offensive line has been one of Pittsburgh's weaknesses for a few seasons, so the drafting of the tackle was not unexpected. Now Moore is giving Jones a run for his money, but the fans are still not giving Moore enough credit. 

Moore was drafted in the fourth round in 2021 out of Texas A&M. He spent the past two seasons in Pittsburgh performing in a wholly mediocre manner. As the 2022 season got underway, he was allowing sacks left and right. It seemed likely that the team would look to go in a different direction and perhaps move Moore to the second string. 

Sure enough, they took Jones out of the University of Georgia in the 2023 first round. In fact, they didn't just take him, they moved up to get him, trading with the New England Patriots. While Jones did help Georiga win two National Championships during his time there, it was clear that he still needed some polishing. 

This has led to a lot of debating about who will start Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, Moore or Jones? Initially, it seemed most people believed there was zero chance that the Steelers wouldn't start their first-round guy, but then Moore showed up to training camp. Now, after the first two preseason games, Moore is also making plays and making people believe. 

Steelers' Ramon Foster Is Proud Of Dan Moore Jr.  

Former Steelers offensive guard, Ramon Foster, now co-hosts a podcast on DK Pittsburgh Sports with reporter Dejan Kovacevic called The Ramon Foster Show. Both Foster and Kovacevic have weighed in on the Moore vs. Jones debate regularly, both saying that fans are overreacting and there is nothing wrong with Jones not being the immediate starter. 

During the preseason matches, Moore has been doing an outstanding job on the first-team offense and Jones has been mostly working with the second and third teams. Foster was asked about Moore's recent performance against the Buffalo Bills and if he is proud of the turnaround he appears to have made.  

"Very proud. I am proud of Dan Moore for putting earmuffs on and not listening to the chatter. Dan Moore has to put earmuffs on and not pay attention to us, not pay attention to the coaches, not pay attention to the draft pick and just simply go to work."

Both Foster and Kovacevic have said that it is just a matter of time, Jones will be the starter at some point. It just doesn't necessarily have to be the start of his rookie year. The organization wants to do what is best for Jones and the team. Foster feels that Moore has played so well during practice and the preseason games, he has proven himself. 

"In my opinion, [Moore] has won the starting left tackle job."

Kovacevic, who said he has spent a lot of time with Moore, agreed that the tackle deserves all the praise he is getting. He has not only met all of the criticism "head-on," he has also been an incredible mentor and teammate to the rookie Jones. There is no one who has spent more time in individual one-on-one instruction with Jones than Moore.  

"Dan Moore took this challenge and he checked every freaking box on the list," said Kovacevic. "And then there is that 62-yard run, that was him."

The 62-yard play that Kovacevic was referring to was second-year running back Jaylen Warren's touchdown run that gave the Steelers the first score of the game. Warren was able to break free to the outside because of a key block by Moore. 

It does appear Moore has done everything right, or at least everything he can to earn the starting spot. He revamped his diet and exercise program over the offseason and reportedly hasn't missed a beat during practice. He has looked sharp for the two preseason games. While nothing is set in stone however, that does lend the impression that Moore did enough, and maybe then some, to keep his starting job. 

There is nothing good to be had from rushing a player into a starting role. The Steelers did that with Moore, as well as Kendrick Green, and it was met with disastrous consequences. Allowing Jones to develop behind Moore may well be the right thing to do. He is the future of this team and will have his turn soon enough.

What do you think about the Moore vs. Jones positional battle? Do you think Moore has done enough to keep his starting position? What do you think about Jones not starting despite being a first-round pick? Click to comment below. 

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