Steelers' ridiculous Dan Moore Jr. experiment needs to end immediately

Following the 2024 NFL draft, it seemed the Steelers had found their franchise tackles for the next 8-10 years. Broderick Jones was a first round pick in the 2023 draft and flashed elite potential despite having some rookie moments. Then the Steelers got one of the steals in the 2024 draft when they got Washington tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th pick. Fautanu was a projected top 10-15 player in the class.

With the Fautanu pick, it looked like the Steelers would move Jones back to his natural left tackle position and let Fautanu man the right tackle spot. The Steelers offensive line would be set up for years to come with the tackle position set in stone. However, enter Dan Moore Jr.

A fourth round pick out of Texas A&M in the 2021 draft, Moore was more of a flyer pick for the Steelers. If he worked out, he could be a solid swing tackle, and if he didn't, no big deal. However, the Steelers bungled the offseason and Moore had to start 16 games in 2021, where he very much looked like a rookie. He showed enough promise to get another shot in 2022, where he started all 17 games and started to show cracks.

It started to become very clear that Moore wasn't going to cut it as a starter, leading to the drafting of Jones. Despite that pick, Moore would still start 16 games in 2023 and once again, ended up struggling as he gave up 6.5 sacks which led the team. The Steelers draft reflected this struggle as they pounced on Fautanu when they got the chance.

Steelers need to rip the band-aid off and start Broderick Jones

However, despite those draft investments, the Steelers are doubling down on Moore starting and it looks like he and Jones will rotate at the left tackle position while Fautanu was recently reported to be the starting right tackle.

This entire Dan Moore experiment has failed for over two years now and despite spending significant draft capital on his replacement, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers keep giving him opportunities to start. Broderick Jones needs to be the starter at left tackle for this season and going forward. Moore is a liability on the offensive line and the Steelers are wasting everyone's time giving him reps over Jones.

Offensive tackle play can be the difference between a good offense and a great offense. More importantly, it can be the difference between a healthy quarterback and an injured one. The Steelers have to figure out a lot of things within their quarterback room going forward and the last thing they need is a defensive end blowing by Moore and injuring one of those quarterbacks.

The future is now for the Steelers. Out with the old and in with the new. It's time for the Dan Moore experiment to officially end.