4 Steelers who need to be benched before Week 3 (and 1 big name who doesn't)
By Andrew Falce
Steelers need to bench Dan Moore Jr.
Another player I have defended, Dan Moore hasn’t looked like the developing tackle that he showcased in the offseason. PFF hasn’t looked kindly on Moore through the first two weeks either, grading him out as the worst tackle in football. While I don’t believe that to be the case, I do think it is time to get Broderick Jones some action.
While Moore can, and likely will, show some improvements after facing two elite pass rushers in both weeks one and two, Jones is the obvious left tackle of the future. While he wasn’t as good as Moore was in the offseason, he will eventually be given the keys to the left tackle job. Had Moore been playing at the level he did in the offseason, it wouldn’t make sense to pull him.
Moore has struggled though, and I would rather see a rookie struggle as he learns the ropes as opposed to learning very little about Moore. I also wouldn’t shut the door on Moore starting either. Chukwuma Okorafor has also struggled, and I have said for the longest time I think Moore can succeed at right tackle.
That said, it is time to turn to Jones as the left tackle. As fans, we need to understand that this will come with some growing pains, and we can’t write Jones off after one bad week. It is time though; Jones needs to be allowed to showcase why he was the Steelers first-round pick.
The Steelers first two games have not gone as expected, and while the team has limped to an even record, change is needed. It should start here, as these four players all need to head to the bench in favor of some better options.