With the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting offensive tackles in the first round in the last two drafts, it’s very likely that 2024 will be Dan Moore Jr.’s last season in Pittsburgh.
He’s set to hit free agency in 2025, and with 49 career starts under his belt through three seasons, he should receive a decent pay raise. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thinks he’ll garner a massive contract on the open market, but $4 million per year seems more reasonable.
“You know Dan Moore’s going to be a free agent next year. They won’t re-sign him. He’ll actually go out on the free agent market, and he’ll get a massive contract as an NFL left tackle who has started every game since his rookie season [that he’s been healthy],” Dulac said on The Steve Jones Show on WKOK 1070 AM.
Dulac of also believes Moore still might start in Week 1 when asked who the starting tackles would be in in Week 1.
“Probably same as last year, at least to start the season. Unless they trade Dan Moore,” Dulac wrote.
Moore allowed eight sacks last season, which was tied for eighth-most in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. Moore’s PFF pass-blocking grade was 39.7, which ranked as the sixth-lowest in the league.
The Steelers reiterated that they view Fautanu as a tackle after his selection despite many pundits believing Fautanu is five spot versatile.
“Right now, we’re not concerned about that,” head coach Mike Tomlin said when asked about the possibility of him playing center. “We legitimately see him as a tackle.”
His projected versatility opens a myriad of possibilities for this year and next for the Steelers. They could play Fautanu at tackle this year, and then move him to guard in 2025, after starting right guard James Daniels’ contract expires.
But the Steelers like to let rookies deal with the NFL transition as easily as possible, and so he will likely start out at a tackle position in 2024, and Moore will once again be in a battle for his starting job from OTAs on.
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