Time can heal all wounds, or maybe a new scapegoat can help things get better in a hurry. Dan Moore Jr. heading into the season was one of the most hated players on the Steelers roster. He was a constant scapegoat for the problems along the offensive line. Many had no idea why the veteran would be starting over a young duo of Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu going into the year.
Up until this season, Moore has deserved most of the scrutiny that has gone his way. He had been one of the worst starting left tackles during his tenure in Pittsburgh. He was labeled as a developmental offensive tackle coming out of the 2021 NFL Draft. Sometimes it takes a while for those types of prospects to click, but everything is going right for Moore at this point.
Finding a quality left tackle in the NFL is something every team wants, and the Steelers might have one with Moore. Since Jones has been struggling, he remains on the right side. Fautanu has been out for the season since an injury on September 20. Moore had to step up, and he has done exactly that. No one anticipated he would be one of the best pieces on the Steeler's offensive line.
Dan Moore Jr. has become one of the Steelers most reliable players
Perhaps Moore's emergence this season could put Jones's issues into perspective. Every player takes their own amount of time to adapt to the NFL. Sometimes it takes longer for some than it might for others. Moore seems to have finally figured out the NFL, while Jones is struggling. Both were seen as raw players who needed to develop at the next level, but neither had time to learn.
Both Jones and Moore were thrown into the fire immediately, plus Jones is playing on his off-side. Since Jones is having one of the worst seasons by a starting offensive tackle in the NFL this year, it might be in the Steeler's best interest to re-sign Moore. It would be a massive turn of events considering many didn't even want Moore to start for Pittsburgh just a couple of months ago.
Free agency should be kind to Moore as his market should catch on fire, especially if he keeps up his current performance. Not too many quality left tackles make it to the market, but a little buyer beware on Moore, this has been his only good season as a starter thus far. Signing him to a massive, guaranteed contract could become a problem if he can't keep this up for the foreseeable future.
Time will tell how the Steelers handle Jones moving forward, but he needs to show something positive. Re-signing Moore, before he hits free agency, could become a priority if Jones struggles along the way. They need a solid left tackle to protect their quarterback. Bringing Moore back would be a costly endeavor, but it is something Pittsburgh might have to do.