Analyst Speculates Steelers Cut Moore

The Pittsburgh Steelers have several competitions to monitor during training camp.

Of course, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields battling it out for the starting job will garner the spotlight – even if it has already been decided. The offensive line may have a more uncertain outcome.

The Steelers drafted tackle Troy Fautanu in Round 1 a year after making offensive tackle Broderick Jones the No. 14 pick. Jones played right tackle last year, but seems to have the inside track to the blindside. Fautanu, meanwhile, looks like the Week 1 starter at right tackle.

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If both start at their respective positions in Week 1, it would render veteran left tackle Dan Moore a second-stringer.

Subsequently, A to Z Sports listed the potential backup as a surprise cut candidate for Pittsburgh.

“Up until this week, it was almost a lock that Dan Moore Jr. would be on the roster in 2024. But following a report that Broderick Jones will start at LT and Moore will battle with rookie Troy Fautanu at RT in training camp, his departure becomes possible,” Rob Gregson wrote. “Moore is a pure LT. Asking him to play RT might as well be writing with your (non-dominant) hand. And while he’s been criticized at LT, he’s sturdy enough and will be a serviceable starter or high-end swing tackle for the majority of the league.”

Of course, the Steelers would prefer to keep Moore in the building. Pass protection is crucial in today’s NFL, and injuries can ravage an offensive line in a hurry. Even if Moore is a low-end starter, that’s an improvement over basically any backup lineman in the sport.

Simply put, there aren’t enough good offensive linemen in the sport. Holding onto any kind of surplus is important.

However, it’s possible Moore asks out, given his lack of comfort at right tackle and the opportunities bound to open across the league.

Pittsburgh would be charged with approximately $175,000 in dead cap if they were to move on via trade or release, while saving $3.36 million, hardly a preventative factor in a move.

If Moore finds his way out of the Steelers organization, it may be as a result of his own request, rather than a traditional bottom-roster cut.