INDIANAPOLIS — When the Baltimore Ravens released outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon, they hoped to sneak him through waivers, but the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to nab him off as a developmental pass rusher. Now that he is on the divisional rival, the move looks a bit different, but Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has always liked what Moon brought to the table.
At the NFL Combine on Tuesday, DeCosta praised Moon’s work ethic and the traits that can make him intriguing.
“Jeremiah’s a very hard charging guy, good on special teams. I think he’s a developmental outside backer. Strong and physical. Great attitude. I think he’s going to have a great career, definitely,” DeCosta said.
The Steelers have agreed to a contract with the Moon for the 2024 season, giving him a salary of $915,000. The team has not made an official announcement of the transaction. But the NFLPA salary report does state that. Moon was an exclusive-rights free agent.
Moon joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2022. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound linebacker is a native of Hoover, Alabama — the same hometown of Steelers wide receiver George Pickens.
Moon played with the Ravens in the preseason in 2022, but was released and added to practice squad, where he spent his entire rookie season without being elevated for a game. He was signed to a future contract for 2023, and again played in the preseason, was released and added to the practice squad.
This year, Moon was promoted back to the active roster on Sept. 23. He was active for four games, starting one and playing on both defense and special teams. Moon was waived on Oct. 26 and returned to the practice squad, but was brought back to the active roster on Jan. 6.
Moon is 25 years old, having spent six years with the Gators. After redshirting due to injury in 2016, he was a part-time starter in 2017 and 2018. Moved to defensive line in2 2019, starting eight games before another season-ending injury. He played only four games in a COVID-19-shortened 2020 before returning to linebacker in 2021.
That was his best season statistically, as he racked up 49 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two sacks a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
Moon tested off the charts for a linebacker in the pre-draft process. Despite being one of the tallest and heaviest linebackers in his class, he posted elite vertical (40.5 inches) and broad jumps (11-foot-1) and a more than fast enough 4.76-second 40-yard dash. Overall, he had a 9.22 Relative Athletic Score.
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