Steelers need to end the 'competition' at LT and declare Broderick Jones the starter

Competition makes everyone better. Without it, those who have a monopoly on something have no reason to improve. Just ask the producers of the Madden video game franchise. Since buying the sole marketing rights to publish NFL-titled games, they have had no incentive to make real changes over the years. But sometimes 'competition' is destined from the start to only have one winner.

Like many NFL teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers thrive on competition. Historically, nothing is ever handed to rookies, and they are almost always required to beat out the man in front of them for the job. While I don't doubt the process, sometimes it just feels like we are delaying the inevitable. This is the case with the battle for the starting left tackle job.

This past April, Pittsburgh traded up to the 14th overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft to land former Georgia left tackle and five-star recruit, Broderick Jones. From a traits standpoint, Jones is the total package. He may not have a ton of college experience under his belt, but this is largely due to sitting behind former 4th overall pick, Andrew Thomas.

Dan Moore has struggled early at Steelers camp

During OTAs, many predicted that Dan Moore Jr. would come out swinging early at Steelers training camp. Entering his third NFL season with two years of starting experience under his belt, Moore shouldn't lack determination knowing that Jones was drafted and his job is on the line.

Moore has every reason to work his butt off, but despite his efforts, he has still struggled early at Steelers camp. Multiple reports from numerous practice sessions suggest that Alex Highsmith has been dusting him off the line of scrimmage for would-be sacks.

The results haven't gotten much better once the pads came on. Running with the first-team offense, Moore has been asked to hold his own against a remarkably talented pass-rush duo, but he has not risen to the challenge.

Steelers must make the switch at left tackle right away

We really needed to see a massive leap from Dan Moore Jr. early at Steelers training camp. Because this hasn't happened, Pittsburgh shouldn't waste time messing around at practice. They need to look ahead and declare Broderick Jones the starter at the position.

A team doesn't trade up into the top half of the first round just to watch a player rot from the bench. We know that Jones is the future -- not Moore -- and delaying the inevitable only means that it will take Jones longer to get up to speed.

While we obviously can't guarantee a smooth transition from this transfer of power, it stands to reason that Broderick should be the best offensive tackle on the team very early in his NFL career (partially because it's not a very high bar to clear).

By relieving Moore of his starting duties, the former fourth-round pick can take more reps at right tackle. Perhaps he could even compete with Chukwuma Okorafor for the long-term right tackle job -- one that he actually has a chance to win.

Chances are neither Moore nor Okorafor is the long-term answer opposite of Broderick Jones for the Steelers. Pittsburgh's OT pairing graded out among the worst in the league in each of the past two seasons. Broderick has been outperforming his older teammates at the tackle position.

If he's not already, he will be the best OT on the team very soon. The Steelers might as well give him all the first-team reps and make it known that he will be the starter when Week 1 rolls around.