Will Dan Moore Jr. continue competing at left tackle to open training camp?
From the sounds of it, the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t exactly settled their rookie linemen into the starting lineup. Zach Frazier is running behind Nate Herbig at center, and Dan Moore Jr. is still running left tackle. Broderick Jones is mixing in, but Troy Fautanu is coming along at a slow-and-steady pace.
There remains a non-zero chance that the Steelers decide Fautanu isn’t ready at the start of the season. In such an event, it is rather likely they will leave Jones at right tackle, with Moore remaining on the left side, where he has played throughout his football career.
At the very least, we have to accept the probability that the offensive line won’t be settled at the start of training camp. And that likely means Moore is going to continue working on the left side with the ones. I’m sure they are confident that Jones can play there, but they need to be sure of Fautanu first.
I haven’t read a single report that gives me reason to believe the Steelers will force the issue here. Troy Fautanu will only start, and practice regularly with the starters, once he has earned it. And until that happens, we are going to continue seeing Dan Moore Jr. playing left tackle.
Others suggest that it will come down to Moore competing with Fautanu at right tackle, but we have to get there first. What if Moore on the left side and Jones on the right is the only viable look to begin the season? That’s largely up to Fautanu, but also Moore showing some capacity for the right side.
But are the Steelers simply going to push full steam ahead at the outset of training camp? Do you see them plugging Frazier and Fautanu into the starting lineup and just saying, work it until it works? Considering they waited until they felt comfortable with Jones just last year, probably not. And so I’m guessing that means more work for Moore on the left side—possibly even more starts. But there is a lot of training camp to tell that story and whether the latter comes to pass.
The Steelers’ 2023 season has been put out of its misery, ending as so many have before in recent years: a disappointing, blowout playoff loss. The only change-up lately is when they miss the playoffs altogether. But with the Buffalo Bills stamping them out in the Wildcard Round, they have another long offseason ahead.
The biggest question hanging over the team is the quarterback question. Does Russell Wilson make them a Super Bowl-caliber team, or are they wasting a year? Will he play just one season in Pittsburgh before moving on, or the Steelers moving on from him? How will the team address the depth chart?
The Steelers are past free agency and the draft and their roster for the 2024 season is coming into focus. They made numerous moves through signings and trade—and release. More than usual, they seemed comfortable creating holes, confident they can fill them. Now that we have so many pieces of the puzzle, however, we merely have a new set of questions to ask.
