Steelers' Dan Moore Jr. Confident Throughout The "Highs And Lows" Of His NFL Career

Arguably the biggest question mark for the Pittsburgh Steelers going into the season will be who the starting left tackle will be. At first, the answer seemed obvious since they traded up in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select Broderick Jones from Georgia to be their future for the position, but that may not be the case. Last year's starting tackle Dan Moore Jr. has looked the part of being a starting tackle in the league over the offseason. He may even give Jones a run for his money in that starting spot.

Steelers Wouldn't Trade Up In The First Round To Not Use The Guy That They Selected

Although Moore has shown some promise over the preseason and training camp, his future still remains uncertain. During his little time in the league, he has realized that he hasn't been able to perform to the best of his abilities. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Brian Batko was able to talk to Moore about his rough start to his NFL career at the team's practice on Tuesday. Moore would essentially admit to Batko that the start of his career has been rough and that he knows that he can be better.

"I thought my rookie year was bad," Moore would tell Batko. "Last preseason was rougher for me, though. That was rough for me, for sure. It was just the stretch of those games, especially the fact that I knew that I was better than that. I wanted to be better than that."

Moore's potential is there if he is able to fulfill what he is capable of doing. He's a 6'6, 311-pound tackle, you couldn't ask for a better build than that at the position. While he was at Texas A&M, he was a good football player as well as being on the Second Team All-SEC. His potential is there, but mentally, he needs to be able to obtain it.

"I knew I was more capable. I think it was just a mental block that was hindering me from truly going out there and showing my full potential."

The only thing that will hold back Moore now is the competition between him and Jones. The only downside for Moore is that the Steelers wouldn't trade up in the first round to not use the guy that they selected.

Moore is young and still can become a solid tackle in the NFL. Steelers fans out of anyone should know to never judge a player based on how they started their career. Look at how awful Terry Bradshaw was at the start and what he was able to build himself into. The lows are what make the players into who they are.

"Going through the highs and lows and still being able to battle through, I think that’s where the confidence comes from," Moore said. "I’ve been through some of the worst. And just the hint of those successes that I’ve had, I’m just trying to take those and use those to my advantage."

The worst thing for Moore would have to be the fact that the Steelers went out of their way to trade up and get an offensive tackle. But he has realized that it is just business and has been able to block out all the noise from something that he cannot control.

"I think I had to block it out," Moore said. "Not to mention you trade up for a guy, so it’s not the best feeling, you know? But at the same time, you can’t think too deep into this thing. It’s a business. Those guys [in the front office] have jobs to do, just like I do."

The competition between Moore and Jones will be something to watch as the preseason wraps up. Although most people would bet on Jones being the Steelers' tackle for the future, don't count out Moore.

So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? Does Moore have a chance at being the Steelers' starting tackle again? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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